Auli T. (Maki) Lyra, 93, formerly of Pleasant St., died peacefully on Saturday, March 14, 2009, in the Lutheran Home of Worcester.

   Her husband of 65 years, Toivo M. Lyra, died in 2005. She leaves her daughter, Sharon M. O'Day and her husband Jay of Paxton; five grandchildren, Jason P. and Bethany L. Fanning both of North Brookfield, Michael F. Fanning of Paxton, Jay O'Day of Oakham and Patrick O'Day of Paxton; three great-grandchildren, Johnny and Justine O'Day of Oakham and Lillian Delaurie of North Brookfield. A daughter, Janice M. Fanning, died in 1999, and a brother, Jacob Maki, predeceased her.

   Mrs. Lyra was born on October 17, 1915 in Worcester, the daughter of Jacob and Hanna (Peura) Maki, was raised in Barre and lived in Rutland and Holden before moving to Paxton several years ago. She was a 1933 graduate of Barre High School and a 1935 graduate of Becker College. For 55 years, she was a secretary for Butler-Dearden Paper Service in Boylston which later became Carter Rice. She was a member of the Chaffin Congregational Church in Holden and a former member and president of the Finnish American Club of Rutland.

   Relatives and friends are invited to attend a calling hour at 10 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18th, in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. Burial will be in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Memorial donations may be made to the Finnish Heritage Society Sovittaja, P.O. Box 373, Rutland, MA 01543; or the Chaffin Congregational Church Memorial Fund, 155 Shrewsbury St., Holden, MA 01520.