Kathryn Marie Lynch

Katie Lynch, 99, of Fort Collins, passed away Tuesday, March 21, 2017, leaving a legacy built on the belief in the goodness of all people and the desire to make the world a better place. With kindness, encouragement, curiosity, and undaunted faith, Katie modeled the life well-lived.

Kathryn Marie Proffitt Lynch (Katie) was born September 12, 1917, in Western Missouri, to Vallie and Frank Proffitt. She will be remembered for many things – being the only girl playing trombone in high school, baking scrumptious pies, teaching high school students the fine art of typing, riding a motorcycle with her son at age 90, walking with a quick step in brightly colored shoes, and supporting Poudre High School's athletic and music programs. Most of all Katie will be remembered for teaching those around her to look for the good in life and in all people.

Growing up in Kansas during the Depression taught Katie the meaning of "frugal," though she spoke only of good times and friends. From a young age, Katie enjoyed music, singing and playing the piano. At Ottawa High School Katie sang in choruses and played the trombone in orchestra and band while her best friend and sister Colene, played clarinet.

She met her lifelong partner, Joe Lynch, at Ottawa University; they married on December 28, 1938. Joe and Katie raised their children, Sharon Weaver and Ron Lynch in Kansas and Colorado where Joe was a teacher and administrator. In 1961, Katie joined Joe in the education field, teaching in Holyoke, Sterling, Denver, and in Fort Collins at Blevins Junior High and Poudre High.

Throughout their lives the Lynches created a welcoming home where food, fun, counsel, and friendship were always ready. Together they canned vegetables and fruit; Katie made pies, freezing them to have one always on hand for company, and she always made sure to have peanuts and red hots for snacking. The couple shared their gift of hospitality with Colorado State University families from around the world. They traveled throughout the United States and toured Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. On any given weekend, Katie was known to hold cookie baking parties for her "adopted grandchildren" and young friends; she made quilts for family and friends and always had time to sit on the back patio swing to listen. After Joe passed away, Katie continued her active life serving as the editor of The Parkwood Estates newsletter and the director of the residents' Sing-a-long. Clearly, Katie was not one to sit idly.

Perhaps Katie's own words, written at age 87, give the most accurate insight into how she instilled optimism in others:
"Joe and I always knew we'd be in touch with our dearest friends from our previous hometowns, and that has been true. We felt we were making our next move with the assurance that it was what we were meant to do. We looked forward to making new friends, meeting new challenges, and finding a new church family. Not only did we find new challenges in each new place we lived, but we found new endeavors. Joe and I had a wonderful life!"
Katie is survived by daughter Sharon Weaver (Elmer DeBruin) of Fort Collins; son Ron (Deb) of Minnesota, grandsons Michael Lynch and David Lynch, and numerous family and friends. Preceding Katie in death are her parents Frank and Vallie Proffitt, her sister Colene Proffitt, and brother Charles Proffitt.
Katie was a long-time member of the American Baptist Church in Fort Collins.

The family is most grateful for care given Katie by Tami Meurer, Nurse Practitioner and friend and also by the staff at Brookdale Assisted Living.

A Celebration of Katie's Life will be held Tuesday, September 12, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the American Baptist Church, 600 S. Shields, Fort Collins on what would have been her 100th Birthday. Guests are invited to honor Katie by wearing the bright colors that Katie so loved.

Memorial contributions can be made to the American Baptist Church, Fort Collins; the Lynch Family Scholarship, Poudre School District Foundation in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive St., Fort Collins, CO 80524. Friends may send condolences to the family at bohlenderfuneralchapel.com.