Lynn Stark

LYNN STARK (1956-2003)      LYNN STARK passed away peacefully in the arms of her husband, Tom, on Friday, May 2, 2003, at The Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center. She had been bravely battling leukemia for almost two years.      Lynn Alexander Stark was born on March 9, 1956 in Cleveland, Ohio. She consistently delighted in making people's lives happier and began to do this professionally, as a travel agent, when she was just 16 years old. After her graduation from Rocky River High School in 1974, she joined the United States Air Force where she was one of the nation's first female military air traffic controllers.      Lynn moved to The Woodlands, Texas in 1978 where she began her very successful career as a real estate agent, winning numerous awards for her work. Lynn loved helping people build, buy and sell homes. Throughout her career, she touched the lives of many people. Buying or selling a home with Lynn was an event to be enjoyed; it was never just a "real estate transaction" but, in fact, a labor of love for customers who quickly became real friends. Everyone who came into contact with Lynn could not help but love her for her honesty, compassion, and relentless sense of humor. She remains loved and respected by the entire community.      A wonderful wife and mother, Lynn is survived by her loving husband of nine years, the "adored love of her life," Dr. Thomas Stark, her five children, Michael McDermott (14), Andrew McDermott (14), Mark McDermott (12), Chelsea Stark (18) and Alex Stark (15), her parents, Robert and Shirley Alexander and brothers and sisters, Robert P. "Bobby" (Patty) Alexander, David M. (Jackie) Alexander, Lee Ann Alexander and Nancy Ann Alexander (Ward) Smith and their children. Lynn loved her family dearly. Throughout her illness, they remained by her side, accompanying her to and from the medical centers for treatment and providing unconditional love and support. Lynn's large and dedicated family and the presence of her many friends remained her joy during this very difficult time.      Lynn's siblings also worked to give her the gift of life shortly after the onset of her illness. Each was tested in the hope of becoming her stem cell donor in her battle against leukemia. Her oldest brother, Bobby Alexander, proved to be Lynn's biological match and selflessly gave of his time and his blood. His efforts provided hope and prolonged Lynn's life for more than a year, allowing her to spend more time with all of those who loved her.      Lynn grew very close to her doctors and the members of the staffs at The Methodist Hospital, Conroe Regional Medical Center, and Memorial-Hermann Hospital, The Woodlands. These compassionate professionals loved her, treated her, and prayed for her healing during the last two years. Her family would like to thank them and all of the friends who provided love and support.      Lynn was the essence of effervescence. She was gregarious and sociable, animated and kind. And beneath her sparkle was a firm core of selfless commitment, intelligence, and an incredible zest for life. She laughed easily and she loved to make other people laugh so that she could laugh with them, sometimes until she cried. Lynn requested her funeral service be "an upbeat celebration of (her) life."      A visitation is planned for Forest Park Funeral Home from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Tuesday, May 6, 2003. The "Celebration of Lynnie's Life" will take place the following day, Wednesday, May 7, 2003 at 2:00 PM at The Woodlands United Methodist Church, 2200 Lake Woodlands Drive. Dr. Jeff Wells of Woods Edge Community Church will preside. Graveside services will follow at Forest Park Funeral Home, 18000 I-45 South, Conroe, TX (west of I-45 between Hwy. 242 and Research Forest Drive). There will be an informal reception after the graveside service at Pappa's Social Club at 314 Pruitt Road. A faithful member of Woods Edge Community Church, Lynn has asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations on her behalf be made to the church's building fund at the following address: Woods Edge Community Church 3333 South Panther Creek Drive The Woodlands, TX 77380