Jane K. Lynch, 89

REHOBOTH BEACH - Jane K. Lynch, of Rehoboth Beach, formerly of Seaford, passed away Tuesday, March 18, 2008, following a lengthy illness. She was 89.

Born Frances Jane Kenney on May 3, 1918, in Wilmington, she was the only child of the late Nellie B. Neese and Lew Wallace Kenney. She was also preceded in death by her stepfather, L. Russell Hill.

A 1936 graduate of Selbyville High School, she earned her Bachelor of Science in home economics from the University of Delaware in 1940.

Mrs. Lynch retired in 1981 as chair of Seaford High School's Home Economics Department, following 27 years of teaching in Delaware schools, including Lewes, Millsboro and Bridgeville high schools, as well as New Jersey schools in East Orange and Springfield.

An accomplished mezzo soprano, she sang, beginning as a teenager, in numerous venues throughout the state, from the University of Delaware music productions and chorales as an undergraduate to church choirs, the state of Delaware Bicentennial Chorus in 1983, numerous weddings and more.

Mrs. Lynch's former memberships included St. John's United Methodist Church, Seaford; Seaford Golf & Country Club; Seaford Historical Society; American Association of University Women, Seaford chapter president; National Education Association; Delaware State Education Association; Sussex County Education Association, chapter president; Delta Kappa Gamma, an honorary educational society for teachers, of which she served as president on state and local levels; and the American and Delaware home economic associations.

She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Thomas P. Lynch of Rehoboth Beach, formerly of Seaford; three children, Patricia L. Haas and her husband Theodore of Lewes, Sandra L. Hayden and her husband Joseph of Elkton, Md., and Dr. T. Gregory Lynch and his wife Patricia of Bear; six grandchildren, Kristen Perez, Gretchen Wyshock, Benjamin Hayden, Colleen Lynch, Lauren Lynch and Thomas Lynch; and two great-grandchildren, Kathryn Wyshock and Tanner Wyshock.

A memorial service to celebrate Mrs. Lynch's life will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Hastings Funeral Home, 19 S. Main St., Selbyville, where friends may call one hour prior.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to St. John's United Methodist Church, 300 N. Pine St., Seaford, DE 19973.