JOHANNA R LYNCH

BRIMFIELD – Johanna R. Lynch, 77, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to many slipped away on Oct. 21, 2023 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, MA.

Johanna was born in Hamilton, Ohio on October 5, 1946 to the late John W. Lynch and Mary (Lyons) Lynch.

After growing up in Rocky Hill, CT,  Falls Church, VA and finally Wilbraham MA,  Johanna graduated from Minnechaug Regional High School in 1964.  She then attended Art School at Syracuse University.

Throughout the  1970's and 80's,  Johanna managed a series of businesses in Southwick, MA:  October Farms Dairy Farm,  October Farms Feed and Supply Store, and eventually a restaurant and ice cream parlor by the same name.  Later, she was a welcoming sight at the Eastfield Mall in Springfield, surveying people and running Mall Services for 13 years.

Johanna was a singularly joyful person, who touched the lives of many with her out going friendliness, generosity, cheerfulness and capacity to truly listen to those that needed to be heard.  Deeply concerned with both political and environmental issues, she enjoyed sharing her views and relished in the ensuing debates and discussions to follow.  After the 2011 tornado struck Western MA, Johanna spent many hours volunteering through the Senior Center in Brimfield.  She looked forward to each summer and the time spent planning, planting, weeding and, above all, chatting with friends at the community garden.  Any social occasion that brought family, friends and new acquaintances together delighted her.

An avid reader, sketcher, knitter and nature lover, Johanna fought  her devolving physical strength to continue doing the things she loved best. In addition to her family and friends, she will be sorely missed by an entire clan of red squirrels, chipmunks, blue jays, song birds and humming birds.

Johanna leaves her daughters Justine Hansen and her wife, Julie Martin of Turners Falls, MA, and Emily Putnam of Shelburne Falls, MA,  her sons Mathew Putnam and his wife Meg and John Putnam and his partner Renee Lynn all of Granville, MA,  her brothers Michael Lynch and his wife Nancy of Columbus, OH, and Nicholas Lynch and his wife Laura of Waimea, HI, her grandchildren: Quinn Lucas and Dylan, Wesley and Dean Putnam, along with many other family members and friends.

To express condolences to the family or to share photos and memories please visit Johanna's memorial page at www.westfieldfuneralhome.com.

Family and friends will gather for a period of visitation and remembrance from 12 NOON – 2:00 PM on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at Westfield-Avalon Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 4 Princeton St, Westfield, MA 01085

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