Mary Stollenwerck Lynch

1941 - 2025

Mary Stollenwerck Lynch lived her life the way she played bridge. A Life Master, she achieved that honor through dedication, hard work, a love of the game, and an ability to handle whatever cards she was dealt with strength and persistence. She brought a similar spirit to the golf course, always working toward a second hole in one. In her youth, she rode horses with the same passion-showing annually at Madison Square Garden-and in her later years, when she could no longer play golf, she committed herself to learning croquet, not as much fun she would say, but still a game to love.

Born on February 7, 1941, Mary passed away on August 14, 2025, at the age of 84, surrounded by her three daughters. She died from a neurodegenerative disease that gradually diminished her world but allowed those around her to return the deep care she had shown so many throughout her life.

Mary was educated at Greenwich Academy and graduated from Garrison Forest School in Owings Mills, Maryland, where she played field hockey, hunted, and spent countless hours with her beloved horse, MooCow. She maintained close ties to both schools and treasured the friendships made there. Maryland always held a special place in her heart as she spent time there with her grandmother, Mrs. Clifton Miller, at Hinchingham and in Chestertown, on the banks of the Chesapeake River.

She attended Sweet Briar College before marrying William Lee Hanley, Jr. After their divorce, Mary, then a young single mother, devoted herself to raising her three daughters. She returned to school, finishing her degree at Sarah Lawrence College-an achievement her daughters proudly witnessed at her graduation in May 1978.

Mary built a successful career in real estate in Greenwich, first at Lee Weld, Fine Properties and later at New England Land Company. She had a keen eye for design and was ahead of her time in buying, renovating, and reselling homes.

Mary opened her doors-and her heart-not only to people but to animals in need. Among her many rescues was "Honey," a dog thrown from a car on the Merritt Parkway, who to Mary's great surprise gave birth to three puppies shortly after her rescue.

Her philanthropic spirit was inspired by her parents, E. Carroll and Mary Joe (Wood) Stollenwerck. She volunteered for years with Community Answers in Greenwich, USA Swimming and Connecticut Swimming. Her contributions earned her the Connecticut Swimming Volunteer of the Year Award, the 1996 USA Swimming Outstanding Service Award and an induction into the inaugural class of the Greenwich Aquatics Hall of Fame-alongside her youngest daughter. Mary gave of her time, energy, and resources to the communities and causes that mattered to her.

Yet her greatest joy was family. A devoted mother, she was an even more devoted "Grammy" to her ten grandchildren. She needlepointed each of them a beautiful Christmas stocking, celebrated birthdays, attended graduations, games, meets, and plays, and took each grandchild on a special trip after their 11th birthday. She shared a special bond with her seventh grandchild, who was born with a terminal disease, even spending one Christmas with him in the hospital so his siblings could have a "normal" holiday at home. She later recalled that it was one of her best Christmas memories ever.

Her caregiving extended across generations. When her own mother became elderly and frail, Mary stepped in to care for her with kindness and love until her mother's death at the age of 102.

In her later years, Mary divided her time between Gulf Stream, Florida, and Dorset, Vermont, both communities she dearly loved. A lifelong UConn Huskies women's basketball fan, she could be found in those homes glued to her TV-not just for the championship games, but for the entire season. She also cheered on UT Swimming and Diving (her granddaughter swims there), professional golf, Wimbledon, the US Open, and always the Olympics. When there was no sport to watch, Mary was a voracious reader.

Mary was predeceased by her parents, her first husband, William Lee Hanley, Jr., her second husband, John P. Lynch, and her grandson, William Sargeant Frantz. She is survived by her daughters, Carroll Hanley Goggin (David), Allison Hanley Frantz (Scott), and Brooke Hanley Davison (Rob); her brothers, Richard Stollenwerck (Stephanie) and James Stollenwerck (Stevee); and her beloved dog, Ollie. She is also survived by nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild, who were her constant source of pride and joy.

Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched-she was unapologetically Mary- she liked things a certain way-her way-and she never sugarcoated the truth. But those who knew her best understood that beneath her strength and candor was a deeply generous and loving soul. Mary knew that in life as in bridge, it isn't just the cards you hold that matter, but how you play them-and with whom.

Carroll, Icy and Brooke are sincerely grateful for the wonderful aides who cared for their mom in her last year.

A celebration of Mary's life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the PSP&CBD Foundation, a not for profit that assists with funding for research toward a cure and other social programs for the betterment of people suffering with neurodegenerative diseases.