Sun Lakes Women’s Association remembers outstanding member

Colleen McKnight

The Sun Lakes community and the Women’s Association lost a valued member recently. Our Treasurer, Diane Lyons, died suddenly on August 10.

Diane Lyons had been a member of the Sun Lakes Women’s Association for about seven years. She told me she joined the group because she loved its mission of community support. Diane was so passionate about the group she started our annual spring Golf-o-Rama Tournament. Last year was our sixth annual tournament and it has grown to be our second largest fundraiser under Diane’s care. And she didn’t even golf! She just saw a need and stepped up.

She was also our Treasurer and during her term she successfully obtained our 501(c)(3) tax exempt charity designation. This was a huge accomplishment that Diane completed with her graceful combination of ability and gentle but firm follow through.

What I personally will remember about Diane is her smiling face at the back of the room every Monday morning. She was always thankful and appreciative for everyone and everything. She never missed a chance to say something positive and nice to a member. Her smile and attitude made every member feel welcome and every idea seem possible. She inspired me to step-up. I will continue to try to be the type of member Diane was to the association.

As members begin to return, our monthly meetings have resumed. Monthly meetings are the second Monday of each month, but we do get together every Monday morning from 9:00-11:00 a.m. in the SLCC Arts and Crafts Room. All women, owners and tenants are welcome and encouraged to join! Come see what we’re all about; meet some of your neighbors and have some fun knowing that you’re doing your community good as well.

At the October 11 meeting our new by-laws are up for reading and vote. And our new website, slwomens.org, is up and running, with over 200 views last month. It’s a place to find out more about our 42 year history and mission and to easily set up a donation or to join us.

Of course, the biggest news for the association now is our upcoming fall Bazaar! Now is the time for you to help us by doing a little fall cleaning. No donation is too small. Remember, we can’t take clothing or personal accessories, mattress or box springs or large appliances, but everything else will get used or sold. Get a box ready for us and donate on-line at slwomens.org or call 480-895-9270, ext. 220. We’ll come and pick up your goods and have them all ready for resell at the bazaar.

This year will be our 40th Bazaar. It’s hard to even describe how large this sale is. It will again take up all of the SLCC east parking lot, pool patio deck, billiards room, all card rooms, the front lobby and the Navajo room. As always, the Bazaar will be the first weekend of November – starting Friday, November 4 through Sunday, November 6.