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February 24, 1931 - May 16, 2016 Barbara Lynch died peacefully on May 16 in Encinitas, California. She was surrounded by her family and loved ones throughout the week as they celebrated Mother's Day. Born in 1931 in Detroit, Michigan, Barbara was the third child of Thomas J. Schoeck and Blanche Boyd Schoeck. At the age of four, following the sudden death of her mother, she was sent to Tecumseh, Michigan to be raised by her beloved grandmother, Martha Boyd, and her maternal Aunt Agnes and Uncle Lynn Harris. She excelled in school, was the valedictorian of Tecumseh High School, and was awarded a scholarship to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she earned a BS/RN in Nursing. At the University Hospital, her elegant beauty and gentle smile caught the eye of a young surgical resident, John D. Lynch (Jack). They fell in love, married, and moved to sunny Southern California, where Jack settled into a general surgery practice in San Bernardino. At the base of the snow-capped mountains, surrounded by her beautiful gardens and fruit trees, Barbara spent many happy days caring for and spoiling both her husband and children. Barbara's limitless love and patience, as well as her accepting nature and wry sense of humor, made her an exceptional friend, wife and mother. Barbara enjoyed the outdoors, great literature, classical music, opera, and a good laugh. She was a devout Christian, carrying her faith quietly and confidently throughout her life. She was ordained an Elder of the First Presbyterian Church in San Bernardino and later became a member of the Christ Presbyterian Church in Carlsbad. When Jack retired, Barbara bid goodbye to the community she loved and plunged head-long into turning "the beach house" in San Diego County into a warm and welcoming home. It was there that Barbara graciously hosted innumerable boisterous family get-togethers for a crowd that grew in number over the years. No one declined an invitation to a party at the Lynches. The beach, sand, and surf were only a prelude to the main event: enormous buffet-style dinners for hoards of happy, hungry sun-burned friends, talking all at once, watching the sun dip into the ocean with the sound of loud music and children laughing in the background. After Jack died, the parties were a little quieter, but no less frequent or fun. Barbara loved the ever-changing nature of the sea, observing her birds and the surfers gathering at sunrise and appreciating the miracle of every sunset. But, more than anything, she valued getting to know and love every one of her grandchildren. When diagnosed with cancer in 2011, Barbara endured extensive surgical and medical treatment for years without complaint or self-pity. Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Jack, her brother, Thomas, and her sister, Bette Platt. She is survived by her half sister, Diane Wright (Robert), her children; John, Peggy, Eileen, and Jennifer (Bill), her nieces Karen Schoeck and Robin Schoeck, her nephew David Platt, and her grandchildren, Elise, Zachary, Annika, Daniel, Michael, Emma and Alexandra. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews from the Lynch side of the family. A memorial service is planned for Saturday, July 9, at 1pm at Christ Presbyterian Church,7807 Centella St, Carlsbad, CA 92008. Tel 760-753-3290 www.cpclacosta.org In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Christ Presbyterian Church at above address.
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Published in the Los Angeles Times from July 3 to July 5, 2016
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