Lorena Ellen Tyson was born and raised in Montclair and has lived here her whole life. She attended Immaculate Conception Grammar & High School, the College of Saint Elizabeth (now St. Elizabeth University) for a B.S. in Chemistry and Catholic University of America for a Masters in Chemistry. She received a National Science Foundation grant to study graduate level mathematics at Seton Hall University. She completed additional doctoral coursework in chemistry at Rutgers University and NJIT. She earned a Supervisor's Certificate from Kean University.

Lorena E. Tyson has dedicated her life to teaching science and math in parochial schools for 15 years, and taught chemistry at Montclair High School for 26 years, where she was named "Teacher of the Year". She started the Advanced Placement (AP) Program in Chemistry at Montclair High School. She was also an adjunct professor of math at Essex County College, Kean University and Middlesex County College. She received recognition at state, regional and national levels, serving in various educational and governmental roles related to women, youth and human rights.

In 2000, the College of St. Elizabeth bestowed on her the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa. She was recognized with other awards such as:
The Princeton University Distinguished Educator Award
The American Chemical Society Edward Merrill Award
The American Chemical Society Middle Atlantic Regional Award
The New Jersey Governor's Teacher Recognition Program Award
The Shirley Chisholm Lifetime Achievement Award

Lorena became very active in the Alumnae/i Association of the College of Saint Elizabeth (CSE) after retirement. She joined the Alumni Association as a Board of Director and as Chair of all programs, including the Holiday Boutique which started out with 65 attendees. It has reached a maximum of 350 after many years. She has been a class agent from the 1970s to the present and became secretary, vice president, president-elect, and then president, post president each for 4 year terms, still on the Board of Directors through 2025. She along with three of her classmates, started the Sister Marian Jose Scholarship Fund to support science education at St. Elizabeth's.

Lorena has served on the Board of Directors for the Montclair Ambulance Unit, the Montclair Democratic Committee representing Ward-3-District 8, the New Jersey Retired Educator Association as Secretary and Executive Committee Member, the Essex County Retired Educator Association as Secretary (for 9 years) and the Treasurer for 10 years. She still serves on the Board of Directors for the Alumnae/i Association of St. Elizabeth's University.

In 2016, the Montclair African American Heritage Foundation awarded recognition as Parade Ambassador to Lorena for her contributions to education, dedication to students and activities around town. In 2022, the Montclair African American Heritage Foundation awarded recognition as Grand Marshall for the African American parade.

In 2022, the Essex County Democratic Committee inducted her into the Essex County Democratic Hall of Fame.

Visitation is Saturday, Feb. 7, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Caggiano Memorial Home for Funerals, 62 Grove St., with a funeral Mass to follow at 1 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 30 N. Fullerton Ave.