Safia (Gadelkarim) Lyon

Safia Lyon (Gadelkarim), July 13, 1980 - September 8, 2025

It is with profound sorrow that the family of Safia Lyon announces her passing on September 8, 2025 after a long but brave battle with cancer. She passed exactly how she wished, at home, encircled by her husband and children.

Safia embraced her life’s purpose at a young age, the gift of listening and understanding human emotion. She honed that innate skill in her personal and professional endeavors and felt a strong purpose in helping others understand and embrace their emotions. Safia embodied joy and brought people together in a beautiful, natural way, and she never missed an opportunity to encourage others to seek community and connection.

She chose James because she could see his light and she believed that everything they created came from love. Safia felt that with each other and their wonderful children, they had everything. She poured all of her love into her children. They have shared that she was the best mom they could have asked for, that she impacted their lives in many great ways, and that they will miss her every day.

Safia is survived by her loving husband, James, her daughters, Olie and Onna, her son Ozzie, her sisters, Belinda Rhein (Dean), Cicley Lopez, Angela McNamee (Joe), Genny Gadelkarim (Jason) and,Erin Ludwig (sister-in-law), a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and an amazing circle of friends and colleagues, leaving behind for all a legacy of love and light. She was preceded in death and will be welcomed by her mother, Sharon Lodovici, grandparents, Olinto and Viola Lodovici, and aunt, Lamanda Benningfield.

Safia believed that when we open up to others, we make space for a little light to come in. It is her wish that we be vulnerable with ourselves and one another, and feel all feelings fully. Cry, laugh, sing, pray, and be fully present in every moment. Community and Connection. Love and Light.

A tribute to Safia’s remarkable life is scheduled for Monday, September 22, at 4:00 pm in the Terrace Room at Botanica Wichita, located at 701 N Amidon St., Wichita, KS 67203. We will be surrounded by floral beauty in the Botanical Gardens. PLEASE, In lieu of flowers, Safia and her family would prefer that people plant flowers or trees in the ground or contribute to her children's future. Venmo: @James-Lyon-347   or   CashApp: $JamesLyon29

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