Dr. Mary Lynch
Born In: Sydney
Passed on: February 22nd, 2013
At Harbourstone Enhanced Care Facility, on Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, the death occurred of Dr. Mary A. Lynch of Sydney.
She was born in 1919 in Sydney, and was the only daughter of William T. and Sadie (MacMillan) Lynch.
She was educated in Sydney, graduating from Holy Angels High School in 1937. Mary earned a diploma in speech education, St. FX University in 1939, a certificate in radio and TV communication, New York University in 1953, a BA degree at St. FX in 1963, an MA in speech communication, New York University in 1966, a Ph.D degree in speech communication, University of Michigan in 1975.
For several years in Sydney, Mary taught elocution and dramatics privately and in secondary schools, before joining the staff of CJFX radio in Antigonish where she produced women/children’s programs for the station. In 1948, she joined the staff of CBC Radio in Sydney as office manager and freelance broadcaster for five years, and in 1960 joined the teaching facility in speech communication at Xavier Junior College, Sydney.
Twenty-four years later, Mary took her retirement from the University of Cape Breton (CBU). She had been successful in pioneering and building the academic discipline of speech communication.
A lifetime Catholic, Mary was a member of Sacred Heart parish for 70 years. In the wider community she was active in various concert associations, art groups and boards of directors. She was actively involved in national and international speech associations and was a charter member of the Cape Breton branch of the Canadian Federation of University Women.
Her hobbies consisted of music, travel and bridge. Mary was a unique and highly respected person and she will be missed.
Ms. Lynch was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Very precious to Mary, were each of her 13 nephews and nieces and several grandnephews and grandnieces.
Besides her parents, Mary was predeceased by five brothers, Jim, Don, Fr. Joe, Fr. Terence and Vaughan.
The family would like to acknowledge the staff of Harbourstone Enhanced Care, St. Ann’s Bay and Dr. Naeem, for the kind and caring attention given to Mary over the past number of years.
Visitation will take place on Monday, Feb. 25, 2013, at T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Sacred Heart Church on Tuesday at 10 a.m., cremation will follow the service. Private interment will occur later at Holy Cross Cemetery.
No flowers by request. Donation may be made to Loaves and Fishes, CFUW Cape Breton Branch Bursary Fund, or Cape Breton University Scholarship Fund for graduate study in speech communication.
Online condolences to www.twcurry.com.
