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JEAN LYNAS
With sadness, the family of Jean Lynas announces that she passed away on August 13, 2023 at Fred Douglas Lodge, Winnipeg at the age of 102. The family was thankful to be able to spend many hours at her bedside in her last days and to be with her at her peaceful passing.
Predeceased by her beloved husband, the Reverend Herb Lynas; parents, William and Jane Geddis (Northern Ireland) and six siblings. Jean is survived by her daughter Shirley; her son-in-law Tom and her granddaughter Seonaid.
Jean was born near Belfast, where she attended school and later worked. She met the love of her life, Herb Lynas, at a young age and they were married in 1945. They lived first in Belfast, where their daughter was born in 1947, and later in Ballymena before immigrating to Winnipeg, Canada in 1957.
Not many months after their arrival in Canada, Herb became a lay minister with the United Church of Canada. Jean worked beside Herb in ministry and while he studied to become ordained. Together they served in Manitoba churches at Fisher River, Winnipeg (Stella Mission) and Hamiota-Oakner and in Saskatchewan churches at McCord-Glentworth-Mankota, Regina (Knox Metropolitan) and Star City-Brooksby.
Jean led youth groups, sang in choirs, taught Sunday school, worked with UCW groups, cooked and baked endlessly for church and community events and welcomed all into her home. She was passionate about her faith and about social justice issues throughout her life. Losing Herb just two years after retirement was heart-breaking for Jean and for the family. Her years following Herb’s death were spent in Winnipeg where she appreciated the company and support of family and old friends and where she enjoyed several years looking after Seonaid, her granddaughter, and sharing happy times with her and her young friends. Throughout the years, Jean never forgot the beautiful country-side of her youth in Northern Ireland.
The family extends a special thanks to long-time friend, Verna McKay, for her kindness and support to Jean and the family over many years. We also thank staff at Fred Douglas Lodge, in particular Willow Unit, who have provided compassionate care for Jean for over 11 years. We are also grateful to staff at Metropolitan Kiwanis Courts and the Manitoba Home Care Program, as well as other health care professionals, who provided caring support for Jean at various stages. Our thanks, too, to the United Church of Canada and to all of the congregations that welcomed Jean and Herb and were part of their faith journey.
Instead of flowers, please consider making a donation in Jean’s memory to the Verna and Stanley McKay, Sr. Educational Bursary for First Nations Students, RRC Polytech, Development Office, C306-2055 Notre Dame Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3H 0J9 or to your church or to any organization that provides support to those in need in your community or anywhere in the world.
Cremation has been arranged by Neil Bardal Funeral Centre in Winnipeg. Interment will take place at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery in Regina at a later date.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 19, 2023
