Dorothy "Dee" Lyon, a longtime news researcher for The Sun, died of pancreatic cancer Tuesday at Greater Baltimore Medical Center. She was 70 and lived in Randallstown.
A native of Creedmoor, N.C., Ms. Lyon worked for 35 years in the newspaper's library. Colleagues considered her indispensable.
"Dee was the institutional memory for The Sun," said Sandy Levy, the newspaper's director of library services. "When everybody thinks of the library, they think of Dee."
Ms. Lyon was passionate about historical research - especially African-American history, colleagues said.
"She had a wealth of knowledge about local politics and history," said Jean Packard, a news researcher who worked with her for 18 years. "She wanted to make sure that black history in Baltimore was included in our stories."
At her retirement in March, Ms. Lyon was lauded for her resourcefulness. Several reporters said she would continue digging for obscure facts - and find them - long after they had given up.
"She was a lovely person, always glad to see you, even when you wanted something - someone you feel blessed to have known," said C. Fraser Smith, a Sun editorial writer.
Ms. Lyon, who formerly resided in the city's Liberty Heights section, was described by daughter Phaedra Norton as "a beautiful person" who "loved working, loved her job, loved people, loved children and her church family."
A mother of five, she would help her grandchildren do research for school reports and give them books to read, her daughter said.
For about two decades, Ms. Lyon volunteered at the Baltimore Convention Center, giving information to tourists. She was also active in New Trinity Church of the National Congregational Church of America on Presstman Street.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Morning Star Baptist Church, 1063 W. Fayette St., after a half-hour period of family visitation.
In addition to her daughter, a Baltimore resident, Ms. Lyon is survived by her four sons, Robert Lyon and Cedric Lyon, both of Baltimore, Michael Lyon of Mitchellville and Terence Lyon of New York City; six grandchildren; and many "adopted grandchildren" she took under her wing, her daughter said.