Lynn Audrey Edwards

Lynette Yakley Edwards, age 102, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2026, in Martinez, GA. She was born on April 1, 1923, in Cicero, Illinois, to Linda and Calvin Yakley. She lived a long, remarkable life defined by resilience, determination, and love for her family. She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Edward Edwards, and her sisters, Virginia Para and Dorothy Bauer.

Lynette attended Downers Grove High School, where she was later honored with an Alumni Award of Excellence in 2009. She attended Ripon College and then graduated from the University of Illinois as her studies were interrupted by World War II. She was a member of Alpha Phi sorority and served on the War Council at Ripon College. During this time, she became engaged to Edward Edwards. With uncertainty surrounding the war, the two made an impulsive decision to marry before his deployment. At just 20 years old, Lynette persuaded her sister Dorothy to travel to Philadelphia to serve as a witness. Edward deployed with the Coast Guard soon after, returning safely a year later, and the couple would go on to share 67 years of marriage. While her husband was overseas, Lynette moved from Illinois to Charleston, South Carolina, where she worked in the Naval Intelligence Office close to the Coast Guard Headquarters, providing administrative support during the war effort. After the war, the couple returned briefly to Downers Grove, IL, before beginning a nomadic life shaped by her husband’s career, living in 21 different homes across ten states. Their three children were born between 1947 and 1953 in three different states: Illinois, Nebraska, and New Jersey.

In 1963, the family settled in Sylvania, Ohio—a turning point in Lynette’s life. At age 40, she resolved to reinvent herself. Determined to make the most of her life, she colored her hair, quit smoking two packs of cigarettes a day, started an exercise regimen, pursued higher education, and began a teaching career at her daughter’s middle school, later teaching at Sylvania High School. She re-enrolled in graduate school and worked as a graduate assistant teaching Freshman English at the University of Toledo. After changing majors, she earned a Master of Education degree with certification as a Media Specialist. At Sylvania High School, she developed the first in-school broadcasting system that was operated by students under her supervision.

During the 1960s, Lynette embraced exercise with extraordinary dedication. The breakthrough moment began when she participated in President Kennedy’s fitness initiative and earned two 50-mile swimming badges. She then began running, declaring in her mid-forties, “I will exercise every day until I die.” Her passion for fitness grew into an extraordinary athletic career. She competed in 5Ks, 10Ks, half-marathons, marathons, and triathlons, continually pushing her limits. At the age of 63, she qualified for the Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii. She was unable to complete the course after symptoms of pneumonia forced her to withdraw halfway through the biking leg of the event. Six years later, she completed the Ironman Triathlon. One year later, she competed in her third Ironman and was the first woman accepted into the 70+ class of Ironman competitors. Until 1993, only men 70 or over had completed the Ironman distance triathlon.

In her 2014 book, Running for My Life, Lynette reflected on her achievements: over 41,000 miles run, 1,556 miles swum, and 29,153 miles biked. She completed 187 road races, 39 marathons, and 47 triathlons—remarking that she had run, biked, and swum just short of three times the distance around the world. When she wasn’t training for her next race, Lynette focused her energy on encouraging and facilitating others on their fitness journey. She was a Certified Exercise Instructor and developed a fitness program in the Sylvania (Ohio) School system and later established similar programs at Brevard College, Brevard Athletic Club, and at her senior community in Brevard, NC. She constantly reminded people that the key to a healthy life was to “keep moving.” While living in Brevard, she was active in the American Association of University Women. She received Fulbright Scholarships in 1980 and 1984 from the Department of Education to participate in curriculum development seminars in India. In 1986, she was chosen as Administrator of the Year by Sylvania City Schools. She was included in the Who’s Who of American Women from 2000-2012.

At the age of 79, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. At that time, this diagnosis had a 5-year survival rate. She survived and thrived because of her extraordinary physical status. It slowed her down for a year, but she was determined to “keep moving” and set new goals.

Lynette rarely missed important family events or landmarks. When her grandchildren were young, she attended soccer and baseball games, swim meets, and dance recitals. Many holidays and summers were spent in Brevard, NC, gathering with the grandparents and extended family. She was present at almost all weddings, graduations, and sadly, funerals. She was the biggest cheerleader for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, always believing in them and reassuring their anxious mothers that they would turn out just fine. So far, she has been absolutely right.

In the final paragraph of her book, she wrote, “As long as my body can move and my brain can think I will be working to stay strong and agile. If I die before I am 100 years old, I will have moved closer to my dreams. If I live to be 100, I will set new goals for the rest of my life.” Only in her final days when her brain was powering down and her body was no longer moving did she stray from goal-making and hoping for another, stronger day.

Lynette will be remembered as a woman of extraordinary determination, boundless energy, and deep love for her family. Her life stands as a testament to reinvention, perseverance, and the belief that it is never too late to pursue one’s passions. Her legacy lives on in all who were inspired by her strength, spirit, and unwavering commitment to healthy living.

Lynette is survived by her three children: Dean Edwards (Valerie Fadok), Dyke Edwards (Vickie Fortes), and Elizabeth Edwards (John Adamski, Sr.). She also leaves behind five grandchildren—Tara Edwards, Chris Douglas (Angela), Emily Parrish (Jon), Daniel Douglas (Amanda), and Matt Edwards—and twelve great-grandchildren who will miss her stories and advice. She remained close throughout her life to her nieces and nephews: Fred Para, Craig Para, Ruth Swanson, Linda Bolmer, Carol Ludemann, Joanne Bauer-Becker, Martha Hanna, and Sally Campbell.

A memorial date and location have not been determined. Lynette will be interred next to her husband in Clarendon Hills, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Association of University Women.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com