Obituary of Doris Elaine Lynch

When at the age of 92, Elaine Lynch wrote her biography (on the computer!), little did she dream that she had 11 more years of life and love to share with her family and friends. She passed July 30, one month short of her 103rd birthday. Elaine was born in western Kansas to Fremont and Ethel Kay. She was a precocious child, showing early talent in music and art. She received her Life Diploma for teaching in 1928, from Fort Hays State College. Elaine married Claude L. Lynch in 1929. Her family enjoyed her many stories about their courtship: their first meeting on a snowbound train as they were returning from a basketball tournament; his ice skating down the frozen Solomon River to date her: their secret elopement because she had signed a contract not to marry while teaching. Elaine joined Claude in San Diego, California where they began their married life as a typical Navy family moving every few years. She taught school in many of the places they lived and continued her own education at the University of Hawaii, the University of Oklahoma and San Jose State University. While living in Hawaii, the young family of four experienced the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Elaine and the two children were evacuated from their home near the battle area and were eventually sent back to the mainland. She returned to school and received her B.S. in Education from Fort Hays State University in 1943. Elaine was an educator for 26 years, 18 of them in California. She was a middle school teacher of art, music and general education, then, Director of Curriculum and Supervisor of Teachers in the Whisman District in Mountain View, California. After retirement, she returned to her painting capturing many scenes from her travels. She was a member of the Sunnyvale Art Club, Palo Alto Art Club, Sunnyvale Gallery, and the Santa Cruz Art League. She was especially proud of being accepted into the Society of Western Artists. Her other affiliations were Eastern Star, AAUW and Quota Club. Elaine is survived by her loving family: daughter, Shirley Sedgwick (Charles), daughters in -law Stephanie Lynch and Jane Lynch Miller; grandchildren Laura Lynch-Miller (Tim Shaw), Alison Lynch-Miller (Richard Goldstein), Sarah Lynch (Richard Plevin), Justin Fassio, David Sedgwick, Michael Sedgwick (Jacki), Paul Sedgwick (Diane Marchioni); thirteen great-grandchildren and devoted nieces and nephews. Elaine often told her family about the wonderful life she had lived. To quote from her Autobiography of a Kansas Sunflower, "I want to thank my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren for the many beautiful gifts they gave to Claude and me. Among those gifts were: respect, companionship, and most important of all, love." Dear Mother, Grandma, Gigi, we gave back what you so generously gave to us. She was preceded in death by husband, Cmdr. Claude Lynch and son, Dr. Steve Lynch. The family gratefully thanks the staff at Wesley House IV for the care they have given Elaine the past four years and Hospice of Santa Cruz County for the care and support throughout the past seven months. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Santa Cruz County or to Aromas School- designated for art, 365 Vega Aro, Aromas, CA. A private, family celebration of Elaine's life will be held August 15th at Santa Cruz Memorial Mission Chapel.