Sister Justine Lyons died Dec. 15, 2015, at Stella Niagara Health Center in Stella Niagara, She was 93.

The former Rosemary Lyons was born May 19, 1922, in Columbus, Ohio, to Charles and Clara (Stephens) Lyons. She joined the Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Charity in Stella Niagara in 1940, professed first vows in 1942 and perpetual vows in 1945.

In 1957, Sister Justine received a bachelor's degree from Rosary Hill College, now Daemen College in Amherst. She also received a master's degree from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. in 1968, as well as a certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech and Hearing Association in 1969. Sister Justine was also a licensed speech pathologist and audiologist.

She began her teaching ministry at St. Benedict School in Eggertsville from 1942-48, after which she taught at St. Joachim School in Buffalo from 1954-55. In 1955, she became principal and superior of St. Joachim, later serving in the same capacity at Bishop McMahon High School in Buffalo.

In 1967, Sister Justine joined the staff of Rosary Hill College as an instructor and assistant professor, and in 1973, she became a teacher and speech therapist at Sacred Heart Academy in Eggertsville.

Outside of the Diocese of Buffalo, she served at Rosary High School, Sacred Heart High School, St. Matthias School and St. Francis de Sales High School, all in Columbus. She also served in the Diocese of Columbus Guidance Center as a speech therapist and as a private practice speech therapist.

In 2000, Sister Justine began serving as a teacher at Stella Niagara Education Park. After her retirement in 2012, she remained there as a tutor, even while she lived in the order's health center.

She is survived by nieces, nephews and their families.

A funeral Mass was held in the sisters' chapel in Stella Niagara, with burial in Stella Niagara Cemetery.