In Memory

Patricia "Pat" Garnsey (Lynch) VIEW PROFILE

Patricia Pat Garnsey (Lynch)

 

Patricia Garnsley Lynch

Patricia Garnsey Lynch, 73, of Burke, Virginia passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on Monday, October 31, 2022.

Born on August 26, 1949, in Ilion, NY to the late Silas (Si) and Eleanor Garnsey; Patricia (Pat) was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, daughter, teacher, soccer team mom, treasured confidant, and cherished friend to so many.

Pat met her husband, Joseph G. Lynch, in Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1967 and later that year joined him as his Ring Figure Date at VMI. She later graduated from Radford University in 1971 and married Joe that same year. She began her career as a teacher in Georgia in the early seventies and supported her promising military officer groom as he pursued his law degree and entered the Air Force.

Pat was most passionate about positively impacting the lives of children through education, participation in sports, and developing meaningful relationships.

While raising her two children, Pat continued to be very involved in education and child development, serving in multiple professional and volunteer roles at Kings Park and Kings Glen Elementary schools.

Pat enthusiastically served as team mom/manager for her children’s soccer teams, and her countless hours of support and shuttling back and forth to practices and games supported multiple district, regional, state titles and honors.

She cared deeply about all the children she encountered and drew great satisfaction as they advanced their education and pursued successful careers.

As a military spouse, service to the community, family, and friends always came first and Pat sacrificed much to support her husband’s extraordinary career in military service and her children’s education, development, and well-being. She continued her passion in caring for and serving others in coordinating events and senior management meetings with defense contractor Scitor Corporation in the late 90’s and early 2000’s.

A people person through and through, Pat had a huge heart, genuinely cared for all she met, and empathized with so many. Because of this, the Lynch household was a welcoming gathering place and considered a second home for her children’s friends and teammates. She is fondly remembered by many as a second mother to so many children in the community.

Over the last 16 years, “Nana” doted over and was extremely proud of her grandchildren Camryn, Liam, Harper, and Silas. She drew great comfort and pride as Brian and Erin started their own families and, despite demanding senior positions in business and government service, have followed her example as caring and loving parents.

Pat was also known for her toughness and resiliency. In recent years, she endured numerous medical challenges and procedures including a kidney transplant (thanks to a life-saving donation from her daughter Erin). Despite these challenges impacting her mobility, she refused to let it slow her down. Pat always found a way to make it to birthdays, games for the grandkids, holidays, and major family and professional events.

She enjoyed memorable vacations with family and friends in Hawaii, Mexico, Europe, and the West Coast. In fact, Pat and Joe had just returned from a week in Kansas City for the recent Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) annual meeting and related social events the Saturday before her passing. She took great pride in her support of MOAA and the critically important work MOAA does to support military families and the quality for life for all members of the military.

Survivors include her husband, Maj. Gen. Joseph G. Lynch, USAF (Ret.); her son Brian (Katie) Lynch and daughter Erin (Colin) Carroll; three grandchildren Camryn Carroll, Liam Carroll, and Harper Lynch; her brother Steven Garnsey and sister Jane Garnsey Mote. She was preceded in death by her brother Daniel Garnsey and grandson, Silas Lynch.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the ALS Association of Georgia (info@alsaga.org, 5881 Glenridge Drive, Atlanta, GA 30328).

 





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