A lover of all children, Ann Blair Lyne, 86, of Concord, died Saturday, June 11th at her Concord home. She was the wife of the late Austin F. Lyne who died in 2014.
She was born November 20, 1929 in Pittsburg, PA to Emme Mori and James Blair. She attended Wells College (NY) before moving to NYC to work in advertising for J. Walter Thompson. She later worked for The New Yorker.
Ann and Austin married on November 27, 1954. They settled in Concord, MA to raise their six children. They loved them and their spouses with all of their hearts: Austy and Patty Lyne of Scituate; Janie and Bob Oakes of South Burlington, VT; Lisa and Dick Tucker Chestnut Hill; Blair and Tracy Lyne of Concord; Mike and Kami Lyne of Brunswick, ME; and Stephen Lyne of Concord.
While running hundreds of carpools required of a mother of six, Ann took up needlepoint which became a life-long passion. She taught many classes over the years and decorated many homes with her work. Ann also loved art, experimenting with many mediums. She became accomplished with her favorite – water color painting. A creative teacher at heart, with a natural gift for working with children, Ann was also a beloved early childhood educator. When her own children had grown, she turned her efforts to Head Start in Somerville, and the Cambridge Nursery School, nurturing scores of three and four year olds as if they were her own.
All the while, Ann most enjoyed following the adventures of their grandchildren. Whether watching them on the field, on the stage, or running in the backyard at a Bumpy party, Ann was always happiest wherever her grandchildren were. Lovingly known as Grannie Annie, Dar 2, and Neenie, she had a great influence on Austin, Caitlin and husband Dan, Meagan, Michael, Annie, John and wife Michelle, Toph, Willy, Clare, Jack, Nolan and Sean. Ann is also greatly missed by a large extended family and countless friends of all ages.
Dad welcomed Mom home with a smile and a song, and maybe even three holes of golf. We miss you and love you to the moon and back Mom.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, June 20th at 10 am in Holy Family Parish, Monument Square, Concord Center.
Private burial will be held the following day at the family plot in Holyhood Cemetery, Brookline.
At Ann's request, there will be no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Massachusetts Head Start Association, (www.massheadstart.org) or Horizons for Homeless Children, 1705 Columbus Avenue, Roxbury, MA 02119 (www.horizonsforhomelesschildren.org).
Arrangements are under the care of the Dee Funeral Home of Concord.