Lynette C. Mather

Lynette, of VanBuren Township, unexpectedly passed into eternal life on Thursday afternoon, January 22, 2026, at Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital. She was 62 years old.

Lynette was born on September 21, 1963, at Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn, the cherished daughter of Frederick and the late Josephine Allgood. She lived a life defined by devotion to family, faith, learning, and service to others.

On March 20, 2004, Lynette married the love of her life, James "Jim" Mather, at Laurel Manor in Livonia. Together they shared nearly 22 beautiful years of marriage, building a home filled with laughter, compassion, and unwavering support.

Lynette was a proud graduate of Bishop Borgess High School in Detroit, Class of 1981. A lifelong learner, she pursued higher education at several institutions before earning her degree from Schoolcraft College in 2003, reflecting her deep commitment to personal growth and education. Her love of children guided much of her professional life. She operated an in-home daycare, served as a classroom aide, and worked as a second teacher in kindergarten classrooms. Lynette believed in nurturing young minds and hearts, and she took great joy in helping children smile, learn, and succeed.

Known affectionately as the "fun mom" and lovingly as "Nana" to her 15 treasured grandchildren, Lynette brought laughter wherever she went. Whether organizing spontaneous fun, laughing through kitchen mishaps, or turning everyday moments into cherished memories, she embraced life with enthusiasm and warmth. Her personality was powerful, loving, and wonderfully unique - you never quite knew what surprise or joyful moment she might create next.

Lynette's creativity extended into many passions. She loved gardening and took pride in her flourishing backyard greenhouse, growing herbs, fruits, and vegetables year-round. She enjoyed canning, preserving, and sharing the harvest with family and friends. A gifted baker, she was famous for her banana white chocolate chip cookies, breakfast muffins, and homemade treats that rarely lasted more than a day or two.

Christmas held a special place in Lynette's heart. She decorated with delight, often displaying two Christmas trees and a cherished holiday village. Her thoughtful gift-giving became legendary - each present carefully chosen with love, creativity, and intuition. Annual calendars became a treasured family tradition that everyone looked forward to receiving.

Music brought Lynette joy, especially her favorite song, "Dancing Queen." She enjoyed soft rock classics, '70s and '80s favorites, and artists like Def Leppard. Family memories included winning radio contest tickets, spontaneous sing-alongs, and dancing through life's celebrations.

Travel and time near the water were among her greatest pleasures. She treasured family trips to Silver Lake Sand Dunes and summers along Lake Michigan in Grand Haven, where she loved the waves and beach sunsets. She also enjoyed meaningful trips to West Virginia and scenic adventures that created lifelong memories.

Lynette's faith was central to her life. Deeply spiritual and intuitive, she carried a strong connection to God and a heartfelt desire to help others. Following two serious car accidents and a traumatic brain injury that resulted in memory loss, Lynette demonstrated extraordinary resilience. Though faced with immense physical and emotional challenges, she embraced her "second life" with courage, grace, and renewed purpose. During this time, she discovered a profound gift of spiritual awareness, which she used to comfort, guide, and bring peace to those around her. Her compassion, empathy, and unwavering desire to serve others became hallmarks of her legacy.

Above all else, Lynette loved her family fiercely.

Lynette is survived by her beloved husband, Jim Mather; her seven children, Mark (Susi) McAuliff, Jessica (Bruce Johnson) Mullaj, Kevin Shoda, Molly (Brandon Dykes) Mather, Amanda (Nick) Pomante, Jenna Mather, and Deven (Jenny) Hill-Allgood; her father, Frederick Allgood; siblings, Cathy Allgood, Christine Allgood, and Norman (Di) Allgood; and her 15 cherished grandchildren who proudly called her "Nana." She was preceded in death by her mother, Josephine Allgood; her sister, Lisa (John) Liburdi; and her brother, Jeffrey Allgood.
Family and friends may gather for visitation at the Heeney-Sundquist Funeral Home in downtown Farmington on Friday, January 30th, from 2-8 pm.

Lynette's funeral ceremony is planned for Saturday morning, January 31st, at 11:00 am, also at Heeney-Sundquist.

Memorial contributions are kindly suggested to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

Lynette's life was one of love, laughter, faith, generosity, and resilience. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness, creativity, spiritual strength, and deep devotion to family - a light that will continue to shine in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.