Lynne Mary (Kartlie) Lynch was born on Jan. 6, 1945, in Camden, N.J., and died on Dec. 20 at Parkwest Medical Center in Knoxville after a courageous battle with colon cancer.
Mrs. Lynch, who was the daughter of the late John Oswald Kartlie and Margaret Wilma (Mauer) Kartlie, married the love of her life, Carmin E. Lynch, on Feb. 20, 1965, at Fort Hood, Texas.
She was a graduate of Merchantville High School in New Jersey and received her bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of La Verne in California. She managed several high-end women’s clothing boutiques around the country as she moved with Mr. Lynch to various states during their working careers.
In 1998, Mr. and Mrs. Lynch moved to Fairfield Glade to enjoy their early retirement. Mrs. Lynch had a “green thumb” and loved gardening. She competed in floral arranging and tablescape competitions and was an active member of the Fairfield Glade Garden Club. She also was active with the Ladies Club and ladies golf leagues.
Mrs. Lynch was a long-time parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi in Fairfield Glade and was a member of the parish Council of Catholic Women as well as a member of the National Council of Catholic Women. She joined Beta Sigma Phi international sorority in 1978 and was a founding charter member of the Laureate Alpha Kappa chapter in Crossville. She was voted Woman of the Year and Valentine Queen.
Mrs. Lynch is survived by her husband and their two daughters, Cynthia L. Leathers (Robert) of Roseville, Calif., and Michelle L. Williams (Richard) of Crossville. She also is survived by her two sisters, Karen S. Kartlie of Houston and Margaret K. Alexy of Merida, Mexico, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was a beloved Grammy to the “apples of her eyes,” her grandsons, Zachariah A. Cole and Austin J. Cole, both of Knoxville.
A funeral Mass for Mrs. Lynch was held on Feb. 4 at St. Francis of Assisi Church. Donations in Mrs. Lynch’s memory may be made to Hospice of Cumberland County, the American Cancer Society, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.