Betty Dorothy Lyons

Betty Dorothy Lyons (26 May 1921 – 27 December 1986) was an Australian nurse educator.

Early life and education
Lyons was born on 26 May 1921 in Condobolin, New South Wales, to her parents John Joseph (Jack) Jacobs, a business manager, and his wife Eileen Jean, formerly known as Eileen Jean Hunter. She pursued her secondary education as a boarder at St Catherine's School in Waverley, Sydney. Following her training from 1940 to 1944 as a general nurse at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Betty successfully accomplished her midwifery studies in 1945 at King George V Memorial Hospital in Camperdown.

Life
In 1955, Lyons pursued a sister tutor diploma at the New South Wales College of Nursing. Her dedication and expertise led to her being honored as a fellow of the college in 1956. Demonstrating her commitment to the field, she was appointed to the council in 1957 and continued to serve for the next two decades. Throughout her tenure, she held various positions, including five terms as vice-president and four terms as president.

From 1956 to 1959, Lyons assumed the role of tutor sister in charge of the school of nursing at the St George Hospital, Kogarah. Her exceptional teaching abilities left a lasting impact on numerous student nurses, empowering them to recognize and fulfill their potential within a system that often failed to acknowledge individuality.

In 1960–61, she took on the role of assistant administrator at the college of nursing, where she also served as a student adviser. Her dedication to the profession extended beyond her immediate responsibilities, as she actively participated on the council and held the esteemed position of president within the Australasian Trained Nurses’ Association.

Awards
In 1977, Lyons received the silver jubilee medal from Queen Elizabeth II, and in 1979, she was honored with the appointment of MBE.

Personal life
On 12 May that year she married Thomas William Lyons, a clerk, at St Andrew's Church of England, Summer Hill.

Death
Lyons died of cancer on 27 December 1986 at Kogarah and was buried in Woronora cemetery.