MARY J. (MOLLY) LYNCH
January 11, 1924 – May 14, 2019
Molly Lynch (née Rutherford), mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother-to-be, has passed away, aged 95, from heart failure after a short hospital stay at the North Bay Regional Health Centre.
Molly, born and raised on the outskirts of London, England, spent all of the Second World War years of 1939-1945 working for the war effort. Early on, she and her older sister joined the Women’s Land Army to work in agriculture; later they both obtained clerical positions in the British War Ministry. Molly met her future husband, Harold Lynch, of Kirkland Lake, during the last years of the war, while he was stationed at a Royal Air Force base near London. He was a radar technician on land-based and airborne military equipment.
After getting engaged in 1945, it was anticipated that Molly would come to Canada as a war bride. However, before that could happen, her mother suffered a stroke, and Molly stayed in England for another year. In 1946, Harold arranged for his fiancée to fly via KLM Airlines from London to Montreal, by way of Amsterdam and New York. She then made the last leg of her arduous two-day journey to Kirkland Lake by train. Molly and Harold married not long afterwards.
In addition to the shared responsibilities of running a household and raising two sons, she worked for many years in the administrative offices at Extendicare in Kirkland Lake. After retirement, she worked part time at the Museum of Northern History, also in Kirkland Lake.
In 1988, Molly and Harold moved to North Bay. They had many happy years visiting with friends, travelling to a number of countries, and helping out with their grandchildren in North Bay and Ottawa.
Molly was predeceased by her cherished husband, Harold, in 2001, after 55 years of marriage. She was also predeceased by her parents, two sisters, and a brother in England.
Molly made many friends in the condo building she moved into over sixteen years ago. She was active in her church and community. She had a lovely British accent, liked a good chat, was always upbeat and cheerful, and was a delight to be around.
Molly leaves her two beloved sons, Wayne and David Lynch, daughters-in-law Amelia Joyce and Shelley Lynch, granddaughters Emily Lynch (Blair Molloy) and Alison Lynch (Hugo Rodriguez), and grandson Chad Lynch.
We extend our gratitude to Dr. O’Grady and Dr. Lavoie and all the medical staff at North Bay Regional Health Centre who took part in Molly’s care. Also, thanks go out to the Empire Retirement Residence for their welcome and support these last few months.
Molly had a lot of respect and appreciation for the volunteer efforts of the North Bay Meals on Wheels program, and her family will be making a donation on her behalf.
A visitation will be held at Hillside Funeral Service, 362 Airport Road, on Thursday May 16th from 1 until 3 pm, with a service and reception to follow.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Mary Rutherford Lynch May 14 2019..
Décès pour la Ville: North-Bay, Province: Ontario