This year's Blue Tie Gala will honor two impactful parishioners, Margaret and George Lyons. Margaret and George both began their lifelong commitment to Ascension as students (George 1969 - 1977, Margaret 1971 - 1979). Both Margaret and George's parents were active members of the Ascension community and knew each other through their work with parish social events.  However, their paths did not cross until later in life when they began dating and later married in Ascension church in 1989. 

After becoming parents, they bought their first home right down the street on East Avenue and made Ascension their family's parish by baptizing their two children at the church. Their children Sean (2007) and Shealagh (2009) later attended Ascension school and as parents, Margaret and George volunteered in a variety of ways: coaching, room parents, guest readers, calendar committees, mission day, christmas boutiques, and the 8th grade dinner to just name a few! 

Margaret was a committed member of the shopping certificate program and later became an employee at Ascension as an instructional aide in 2001. Margaret retired from Ascension in 2024 after 20+ years supporting early childhood education. George spent 10 years as an adult volunteer with Ascension's Appalachia Service Project (ASP) program and spent years on the Youth Ministry Board and stewardship committee. Both Margaret and George played active roles on reopening committees during COVID for both the school and church. This list highlights the formal roles George and Margaret played over the years, but their impact is long-lasting through their work behind the scenes at many events and engagement of families and friends for the Ascension community.