Obituary of Bernice T. Lynch

Bath, NY -- Bernice T. Lynch, 95, of 132 Circle Drive, Bath, NY, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on Tuesday, December 4.

   Bernice was born on November 23, 1923, in Westfield, New Jersey, the daughter of John Henry and Adelaide O'Connor Traynor.

   Bernice attended Holy Trinity High School and graduated in 1941 as valedictorian of her class. Following high school, she received a certificate in Secretarial Studies from Washington School for Secretaries in 1942.  She volunteered as a nurse’s aide with the Red Cross during World War II.  She worked for several years prior to her marriage to Francis A. Lynch on April 7, 1951. 

   Moving to Bath, NY, in 1955, she raised her five children.  Upon the death of her husband in 1974, she began serving the community, replacing her husband on the ballot to become the first elected woman to the Bath Village Board of Trustees and also spent 10 years as a member of the planning board.

   In 1975, she began working at the Steuben County Probation Department.  Later, she worked for the Steuben County District Attorney where she retired from in 1995. 

   In retirement, she enjoyed travelling to Hawaii, Ireland, Italy, and the Panama Canal.  She also travelled to Florida annually to visit family.

   She was a member of St. Mary's Church in Bath, NY. She is survived by Patricia (Mike) Jolliff of Copenhagen, NY; Kathleen (Wayne) Patterson of Bath, NY; Kevin (Linda) Lynch of Bath, NY; Terrence Lynch of Bath, NY; Dennis (Judy) Lynch of Dryden, NY, and 8 grandchildren:  Francis, Sean, Sarah, Alicia, Lily, Jennifer, Andrew and Sophia.  She is also survived by her brother, John H. (Arline) Traynor of Westfield, NJ, and several nieces and nephews. 

   She was predeceased by her husband, Francis A. Lynch in February 1974, granddaughter, Jill Marie Patterson in March 1989, 2 sisters, Dorothea Nelson (Dr. Francis Nelson) and Florence Palmieri (Chester Koda, Joseph Palmieri).

   The family would like to thank Mother’s caregivers:  Mamie Barney, Daphne Colvin, Kim Walker, Emily Webster, Rachel Parcels, Carol Warriner, and Care First (Southern Tier Hospice).   

   Calling hours are on Saturday, December 15, 2018, at St. Mary's Church from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. with the funeral Mass following the calling hours at 10 a.m.

   In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Bernice’s name may be made to: Care First (Southern Tier Hospice), Alzheimer’s Foundation at www.alzfdn.org, or the Susan G. Komen for the Cure at www.komen.org.