All News
A special day for a special lady
Eileen doing what she loved with Jeanette Meijer (partly obscured), Jean O'Brien and Shirley Craig.
There was a special day at the Geraldine Bridge Club on Wednesday 2nd February 2022 when Life Member Eileen Lyon turned 100 years young.
Eileen has been playing Bridge for 51 years, and was a foundation member of the Geraldine Bridge Club when they formed in 1976, 46 years ago. She began playing bridge in 1970 when a friend talked Eileen into doing bridge lessons in Temuka. She wasn’t keen at first and her husband wasn’t interested at all but her friend persisted: so, she went along. She was taught by Eric Andrew of Timaru who was a school teacher. She remembers he stayed true to his trade and made them take tests so they would be sure to study the lessons. Eileen applied herself, learned the lessons well, and has continued to play consistently over the years.
After a few years, Eileen’s husband started showing an interest in the information Eileen left lying around the house. So, she taught him the game and he came to love it as well. A consistent winner or place-getter of her grade in tournaments, a look back through my bridge collections show success overall in May 1996(Temuka All Grades – 27 tables), June 1985 (Timaru) with late husband Don and November 2005 (Timaru) with Joyce Nicholson. Eileen has partnered Jean O'Brien for many years now. Eileen has been Club Champion at both Geraldine and Temuka on several occasions.
The members of the Geraldine Bridge Club were very happy to honor Eileen’s long-standing membership, devotion to and love of the game, her delightful disposition, and valued contributions over the years by electing her a Life Member of the club at the Christmas 2021 breakup. A deserved recipient indeed. She was presented with flowers and a Life Membership Certificate.
100 years young, Eileen with appropriate acknowledgements including from the
Geraldine Bridge Club.
Eileen has been one of the nicest people you would ever want to meet at the bridge table with an engaging smile and a lovely disposition. She would always remember everyone's name and no-one can ever recall her criticizing any person or speaking ill of anyone. That's why I can almost forgive her for trumping my 
A when returning to my hand to draw trumps in a tournament 18 years ago (having set up my side suit for that top score overtrick). She smiled at me sweetly and cashed three tricks (-100) .
Some things you never forget.
Sad to say, Eileen's eyesight has deteriorated to the extent that competitive bridge is no longer an option but the occasional hand with friends, as seen in one of the pictures, is still on the cards (excuse the pun). She finished with 5th, 4th and 1st placings in her last three nights of bridge.
On behalf of all the bridge players out there who know or remember you, and even those who don't, we hope you had a very happy birthday, Eileen.
Neville Newburn, Timaru
Go Back View All News Items
