Dr. Cheever J. Lyden Obituary (1922 - 2012)

PORTLAND - Dr. Cheever J. Lyden, 90, of Berkeley Street, died Monday, July 16, 2012 surrounded by his wife and loving family at the Monarch Center in Saco, after a short illness. Cheever was born in Portland, Maine on May 25, 1922, the son of James and Ellen Lyden. He attended St. Patrick's Catholic School Deering High School, class of 1940. He graduated from the third class of the Maine Maritime Academy and served as a Merchant Marine officer during World War II and as a naval lieutenant during the Korean War. He earned his Doctorate in Podiatric Medicine and opened practices in both Brunswick and Portland where he practiced for over 40 years. On April 7, 1956 he married the love of his life Bridget "Bridie" Ward at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Portland, where they remained lifelong communicants. Cheever and Bridie purchased a cottage in Pine Point, where he spent a lifetime starting remodeling projects. They loved entertaining the large Ward Clan (and anyone claiming to be Irish) at the beach. Cheever especially liked sitting on the Sea Wall with his closest friends. He enjoyed observing the cold Maine winters from Naples, Florida with their dear friends Jackie and Shag Merrill, where Cheever volunteered for Habitat for Humanity. He will be long remembered for his dry sense of humor and love for storytelling. Cheever is survived by Bridie, his devoted wife of 56 years; a son James and his wife Helene Clehr of North Logan, Utah; two daughters Maureen Lyden Green and her husband Jonathan of Melrose, MA, Anne Lyden and her husband Alfred Elson of Barrington, RI; six grandchildren Christine, Kathleen, Conan, Keenan, Grace and A.J. He also leaves behind his special nieces Dottie Keosaian and Pat "P.M." McAleese along with sisters-in-law Claire and Peggy and "all the Wards". Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, July 19, 2012 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at the Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home on Friday, July 20, 2012 at 9:15 am followed by a 10:00 am Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Hope Parish, St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 673 Stevens Avenue, Portland. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Broadway, South Portland. Those who wish may make contributions in Dr. Lyden's memory to: St. Brigid Parish School, 695 Stevens Ave., Portland, ME 04103 or Habitat for Humanity, 565 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101.Online condolences may be expressed below.