Obituary: Carol Marie Gresko-Lyons (Bacigalupo)

Sept. 12, 1942 – Jan. 31, 2024

National and internationally renowned fabric artist Carol Marie Gresko-Lyons (Bacigalupo), age 81 of Sturgeon Bay, formerly of Ephraim, died on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024.

She was born on Sept. 12, 1942, to the late Joseph and Irene (Gresko-Oliver) Gresko in Chicago, IL.

Carol graduated from Resurrection High School in Chicago. After high school she graduated in 1964 from Alverno College in Milwaukee with her Bachelor of Science Education and earned the Professional Merit Award. She also studied at Rosary College, Triton College, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, North American Design School, and St. John’s University studying Calligraphy, Greek and Roman manuscript and facsimile book studies.

Carol was united in marriage to Roger “Charlie” Lyons on May 21, 1983. Together they thrived in the Door County art scene. Roger Lyons served as the first curator of the Miller Art Museum, and over the years, their business, The Paint Box Gallery in Ephraim, offered a wide variety of art services to the museum including framing, restoration, and appraisal. The gallery exhibited interesting and accomplished artists as well as their own works. Her Miniature Art and son Aaron’s Palm Tree Musician’s were some of the unique interesting art that were on display at Paint Box Gallery. Her keen eye was evident with the talent she exhibited framing customers’ artwork. Carol also owned Gresko Textiles in Ephraim, later known as Gresko and Sons Textiles.

In 1987, to mark the centennial year, she was commissioned to design a very special Centennial Cloth for Alumnae Hall at her alma mater, Alverno. Carol has permanent collections of her works at the Art Institute of Chicago, Mount Mary University, Smithsonian Institute, Cooper Hewitt, Victoria and Albert Museum in London, England, Allmilmo Corporation in Germany, and Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris. At the Miller Art Museum in Sturgeon Bay, they currently hold one woodblock print by Carol and 28 examples of her hand printed fabrics with varied Door County motifs, including some custom patterns such as “Laurie’s Wedding” and “Nancy’s Wedding”. In addition is the personalized pattern “Charlie and Carol, Love in the Midst” featuring a CC (Charlie and Carol) all-over pattern design with apple blossoms. Carol’s artwork was first included in the permanent collection in 2001. 

Carol is survived by her sons, Aaron and Arnie Bacigalupo; and her Lyons family relation including Wickmans, Warrens, and Tongs.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Charlie; and son, Richard Lee Porter.

A memorial service was held on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, at Casperson Funeral Home, 2594 S. Bay Shore Dr., Sister Bay.

Casperson Funeral Home is assisting the Gresko-Lyons and Bacigalupo family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Carol may be shared with her family through her tribute page at caspersonfuneralhome.com