Lorraine Mary Clare Lynch's Obituary
Lorraine Mary Clare Lynch “Clare Lynch” passed away peacefully after a brief hospital stay at about 11:00 pm on March 24, 2024 (Palm Sunday). Lorraine is preceded in death by her parents: Francis and Helen Clare, her sisters: Nancy (Clare) Pabitski, Patricia (Clare)McLaughlin, Diane Clare, Beverly Clare and her brother James Clare. She is survived by her brothers Robert Clare and William Clare, her devoted husband of 53 years, Dr. Timothy Lynch, Sr., a treasured son, Timothy Lynch, Jr. (Stefanie), and cherished daughter, Colleen Lynch Mooy (Hans). Those that loved her most of all, her grandchildren, called her Nana Clare. She will always be in the hearts and minds of her grandchildren: her grandsons: John Cronin Mooy (12), Michael Lynch Mooy (10) and more recently, her adopted granddaughter, Delilah Emma Elaina Lynch (10).
Lorraine was born on September 2, 1941 in Quincy, Massachusetts and was one of eight children. She was an amazing and helpful daughter. The 5 girls in the family graduated from North Quincy High School. The 3 boys graduated from Archbishop Williams High School. Lorraine was involved in the Glee Club, the choir, and was voted most popular and funniest in her high school class. Following high school, Lorraine was a Sister of Charity of Nazareth where she was assigned to work at St. Peter’s Home for Children in Memphis, Tn. Monsignor William Bevington drove her to that first mission. Lorraine was called out of the convent after 9 years and she met Tim and they married on June 7, 1970. He pursued his Ph.D. and opened Sumner County Mental Health. Lorraine went on to get her Bachelor’s and Master's Degrees in Social Services at the University of Tennessee Nashville. They adopted Timothy in 1975 and then went on to have Colleen in 1977.
Well into her 30s , Lorraine began art lessons with Betty Malone, an iconic Nashville artist. She entered a competitive art contest and was 1 of the 100 winners who had their art on display in the Parthenon in Nashville. She was on Committees for many Galas around Middle Tennessee, including The American Cancer Society, Tennessee Tourism Board with Gov. Ned McWherter, and anything involving giving children in need a better life.
Lorraine experienced renal failure in 2003 and was put on dialysis. In December 2006, she was the first person to receive a kidney transplant from someone with meningitis of the brain. It had never been done before, but it was a perfect match kidney, so she went for it. Since it was a Christmas miracle, every Christmas after that, the entire Lynch family decorated the church sanctuary at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church to honor her kidney donor.
Lorraine continued to bring joy to others with her paintings but greater joy was brought to her with life's milestones including the weddings of both her children and the birth of her grandsons, whom she watched daily when Colleen went back to the classroom as a teacher. Time with her family was something she was most protective of in her life. Lorraine experienced multiple medical challenges beginning in 2016 and continued to amaze those that knew her as she overcame each obstacle and handled each setback with grace and even stronger faith. No matter what she was going through, Lorraine attended any and all of her grandson’s Sacraments, performances or soccer games at their school, St. Bernard Academy. She always found the energy to bake with her granddaughter and grandsons and not only play the 3 hour Monopoly game marathons, but win by a landslide! She could always rely upon her son-in-law and daughter-in law for conversation and for companionship. In her spare time, Lorraine could be found painting, watching a Hallmark movie, a cooking show, shopping at Chico’s or anywhere that sold Estee Lauder for she would not even attempt to go to the mailbox without her lipstick and earrings on, no matter what! She loved to have a cup of coffee and sit on the front porch with Tim and look out at the water.
Faith was so important to Lorraine, her devotion to the Blessed Mother and her daily rosary prayers were felt by so many. Her stories of faith and overcoming incredible medical issues will continue to inspire and affect all those that cared for her in the medical community and beyond. Her advice in the last days of her life was, “Take care of your soul.” We will forever have the memories of this beautiful, fun, festive, loyal light in our lives.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the following in memory of Clare Lynch:
Tennessee Kidney Foundation (Nashville)
St. Bernard Academy (Nashville) in Memory of Clare Lynch
Room in the Inn (Nashville)
Visitation 4/5/24
4-8 pm
Spring Hill Funeral Home & Cemetery
Funeral Mass 4/6/24
St. Joseph Catholic Church
10-11 am visitation, followed by mass and burial
*burial at Spring Hill to follow mass, all are welcome.
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