Winifred Lillian, lovingly, known as Winnie to her family. She was the granddaughter of former Mayor of Houston, John T. Browne, who served two terms in office from 1892 to 1896 and later continued his political career in the Texas Legislature, and wife Mary Jane Bergin. Winifred's parents, Michael Cusack Lyons and Mary Elizabeth Browne, owned Lyons Grocery Store in Houston. Winnie was born as the 10th daughter to her parents, of 11 children. Their youngest child was the only boy. She lost her father to a sudden death when she was only 9 years old. Winnie's mother continued operating the family store for another decade and raised their younger children through the Great Depression era. Lyons Avenue in Houston is named for her uncle, John Lyons. She was of Irish descent, her father and three grandparents were born in Ireland.

Winnie met Arnold Lutz when they both worked at historic downtown Krupp & Tuffly, a retail shoe store. They married at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Houston, in 1938. They had 5 children; Suzanne, Arnold Gregory Jr, Mary Elizabeth, Winifred, and Mary Kay. All children were raised and have remained in the Houston area. Winnie and Arnold were married for sixty-two years and passed only two months apart in 2001.

Winnie was my grandmother and I spent much of my childhood in her home. She was a wonderful cook and always dined at home. My favorite was her French Toast for breakfast. I recall her frequently watching The Merv Griffin and Lawrence Welk television shows. Every Sunday was a family gathering of her children and many grandchildren. These days were also often visits from one of her sisters and it was always special to see them together and speak of the old days. The holidays and family Sundays are wonderful memories of helping prepare meals, playing card games, lounging in lawn chairs of her backyard while children played, sitting around the table for coffee and dessert in laughter, or listening to her tell stories of her family memories. Winnie was physically limited in the last years of her life due to a stroke but she was still able to pinch you under the table with her toes of her good leg! Her cooking became limited also, but she was able to provide steps or instructions to others as her traditional recipes were prepared. Her laughter and love are deeply missed.