Yvonne Carlyon

Longtime Durango resident Yvonne Yolande Carlyon died after a brief illness Tuesday, May 31, 2011, at Mercy Regional Medical Center. She was 96.

Mrs. Carlyon was born to Eugene and Henriette Zingg on March 20, 1915, in Bern, Switzerland. She worked as an elevator operator in a department store in Switzerland and wanted to travel and learn English. She met the Fletcher family, who had a ranch in Steamboat Springs, when they were visiting, and they suggested that she come with them to be a governess or au pair for their children. She arrived in the U.S. in 1949.

Music was a passion throughout her life, and when Mrs. Carlyon arrived in Steamboat, she played the organ and joined the choir at the Methodist Church. That led to meeting single minister Alfred Carlyon, and they soon married.

The Carlyons moved to Durango in 1953, when the Rev. Carlyon was assigned to First United Methodist Church on East Third Avenue. He served the church for 15 years. After Mr. Carlyon’s retirement from a church in Colorado Springs in the mid-1970s, they returned to Durango.

Back in Durango, Mrs. Carlyon worked at Riverview Elementary School for almost 20 years as a Title I and kindergarten aide, working with children in small groups, teaching them their numbers and letters in French. She also performed a multitude of tasks around the school just to help out.

First United Methodist Church of Durango was the center of Mrs. Carlyon’s life in Durango. She knitted hundreds of dishcloths for the church bazaar as a member of the Crafty Ladies. A member of the Chancel Choir and Esther Circle, Mrs. Carlyon was known as the card lady for recognizing members’ special days. She taught Sunday school classes and was a familiar face at the Methodist Thrift Shop.

“Her sense of humor and quick wit were her legacy,” her church friends said. “Anyone who knew her was richer for that friendship. This great lady and faithful member will be missed by many.”

Despite living in this country for 62 years, Mrs. Carlyon remained a legal alien resident.

Mrs. Carlyon was preceded in death by her husband of more than 30 years, Alfred Carolyn, in 1984; and son, Philip Carlyon, in 1994.

She is survived by nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; and other extended family members.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, June 20, 2011, at First United Methodist Church. A reception will be held after the service.

Memorial contributions may be sent to United Methodist Women, 2917 Aspen Drive, Durango, CO 81301.

Reprinted from the Durango Herald - 6/16/2011