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KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – One of Lake County’s remarkable women has received a special honor from Congressman Mike Thompson.
Thompson announced that he has selected Madelene Lyon of Kelseyville as this year’s Woman of the Year in Lake County.
“I am so honored, believe me. I am just so honored and so delighted,” Lyon told Lake County News on Tuesday.
This is the third annual Woman of the Year Awards, which Thompson created in honor of Women’s History Month.
Each year, one woman from the each of the counties in Thompson’s Fifth Congressional District – Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties – is recognized for her contributions to the community.
In February, Thompson began accepting nominations for the award, which he presented to the honorees at Franciscan Estate Winery in St. Helena on Saturday.
In addition to Lyon, this year’s winners include Sylvia Villa-Serrano, Contra Costa County; Karen Cakebread, Napa County; Dr. Rhonda Renfro, Solano County; Ronit Rubino, Sonoma County; and Magrit Mondavi (a special posthumous award was presented to her daughter, Annie Roberts).
“I feel in very good company with these other women that have been honored,” Lyon said, calling her fellow honorees “amazing.”
Thompson’s office said Lyon was selected for her work with the Kelseyville Food Pantry, Redbud Audubon Society, Hospice Services of Lake County and other charities.
Lyon served on the executive board for March of Dimes Lake County for 18 years, including as its chair. She currently serves on the Lake County Board of Education and has been the president of the Clear Lake State Park Interpretive Association since 1998.
She’s a past winner of awards including Stars of Lake County, Hospice Services of Lake County Volunteer of the Year and the Lake County Pioneer Award.
“Madelene’s volunteerism and conservation efforts are truly remarkable,” said Thompson. “From her work with the Kelseyville Food Pantry to organizing the Bird Count Dinner and Annual Dinner for the Redbud Audubon Society, Madelene gives selflessly of herself and her time. Her service to our community has greatly enriched us all, and I am honored to present her with this award.”
The daughter of Swiss immigrants, Lyon lives on the ranch in Kelseyville where she was born and raised, and where her family had a dairy farm, and raised pears, prunes and walnuts.
“It doesn’t happen like that very often any more,” she said of remaining at her lifelong home, adding that she feels lucky to still be on the same spot.
She attended the University of California, Davis, for three years and later received her bachelor of science degree from the University of San Francisco.
She and her husband, Walt, began raising winegrapes on their ranch in 1969, and that same crop continues there today.
In 1984 she opened a catering business that was very popular around the county for decades. She retired from catering in 2014.
Together the Lyons raised five children, who in turn gave them nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Walt Lyon died in 2015.
She said she continues to grow winegrapes on her 50-acre farm, and stays busy with the many organizations for which she volunteers, as well as with spending time with her friends and family.
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