Evelyn Marie Tyson, 93, passed away peacefully in Melbourne, FL on Thursday, August 4th.

Marie was born to John and Ethel Bensen on September 24th, 1928, in Melbourne and was raised by her maternal aunt, Mary Louise Rogero. She was the third of four children. Marie went to Melbourne High School before attending Florida State University. She returned after three years to Melbourne and married the late Hugh Tyson in 1952. They spent most of their married life living between Titusville and Fort Pierce, ending up in the Melbourne area, finally settling in West Melbourne.

Marie was a mother and homemaker before she taught elementary school at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School. She then worked at Harris Semiconductor before retiring. She spent much of her retirement as Head Sacristan at Ascension Catholic Church, where she also directed weddings and funerals.

Marie loved music, and played trombone in the Melbourne High School band, as well as for the Marching Chiefs of Florida State University, which she attended as a music major. Later, she was a member of the Melbourne Municipal Band and their Swing Time Jazz Band. Along the way, she participated in, and occasionally led several choirs.

Matching her love of music was her love of sports. Marie coached softball in West Melbourne, and served as an official scorekeeper for community and high school baseball games. She is survived by her children Wayne (Kathy) Tyson of Palm Bay, daughter Cheryl Tyson of Melbourne, daughter Mary Tyson of Holly Hill, son Robert Tyson of Palm Bay, and daughter Teresa (Tammi) Tyson of Edgewater, as well as granddaughters Sarah (Michael) Alfano, Hannah Tyson, grandson Baj Tyson, and great-granddaughter, Siena Alfano.

A Visitation will be held Sunday, August 14, from 3-5 p.m. with a Prayer Service to begin at 4:30 PM at Davis Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory in Melbourne, 560 Montreal Avenue . A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Monday, August 15 at Ascension Catholic Church in Melbourne, 2950 North Harbor City Boulevard .

Donations can be made to The Melbourne Municipal Band or Ascension Catholic Church. Anyone wishing to share a story, or send a message to the family, can visit Marie's memorial page at www.davisseawinds.com .