Lyda M. Alexander, 77, passed away peacefully Thursday morning, March 26, 2026, at Copley Health Center in Copley following a lengthy illness.

She was born Aug. 27, 1948, in Alliance to Herbert J. “Jack” and Henrietta F. (Curtis) Alexander.

Lyda graduated from Minerva High School in 1966. She attended New York University business school in New York City while working in advertising at Union Carbide Corp. and later at First National City Bank of New York (Citibank). She returned to Minerva and worked as a loan teller for Minerva Banking while continuing college courses and workshops to further her financial career. She later served as a head loan officer with Central Trust Co., First Federal Savings and Loan in Canton, Midland Bank in Alliance and Midwest Brokering in Minerva.

Lyda was an avid Formula One racing fan and attended time trials and qualifying races at Mid-Ohio, Watkins Glen, New York, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, and the Indianapolis 500. She became friends with Parnelli Jones, A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti and Mark Donohue.

Lyda was an avid reader and opened Alexander’s Paperback Exchange on Market Street in Minerva. She also loved genealogy and traced her family tree back to Ireland, which she visited.

Lyda was a true-blue Ohio State football fan and a devoted Pittsburgh Steelers fan. To help with her MS and mobility issues, she became a rider, volunteer and supporter of Pegasus Farm, where she formed a special bond with her horse partner, “Joker.”

Lyda will be greatly missed by her surviving family: brother, John H. (Pat) Alexander of Minerva; nephews, Michael P. Alexander of East Canton, Christopher R. Alexander of Glendale, California, and John R. Billiter Jr. of Copley; nieces, Suzanne B. (Billiter-Claypool) Martin of Medina and Stephanie A. (Mathers-Pennock-Kloos) Allison of Hanoverton; great-nieces, Jordyn Alexander of East Canton and Shannon Mathers of Bedford, New Hampshire; and a great-great-niece, Jovie C. Mathers.

In addition to her parents, Lyda was preceded in death by a brother, Richard C. Alexander; sisters, Barbara K. (Alexander-Billiter) Baker and Joyce F. (Alexander-Mathers) Carman; an infant niece, Kathleen Mathers; and her beloved pets over the years.

There will be no services.

At the family’s request, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a local animal shelter in her name.

Friends and family may express condolences at www.bartleyfuneralhome.com.

Bartley Funeral Home, 330-868-4114