1928
Rita
2024
Rita J. Lynch
October 27, 1928 — May 20, 2024
Dunkirk
Rita Josephine (Thomas) Lynch was born on October 27, 1928 in Olean, New York
and entered the gates of heaven on May 20, 2024 while receiving care at Buffalo
General Hospital. Rita was born to Behia and James Thomas who emigrated from
Lebanon in pursuit of freedom and the American Dream. Rita was raised in a
loving family with six siblings including her twin brother Joseph Thomas
(deceased), Reverend Donald N. Thomas (deceased), Cecelia (Dean) Yehl
(deceased), Elizabeth (William) Yehl (deceased), Edmund (Candy) Thomas
(deceased) and her surviving sibling, Nancy (David) McClelland.
Rita is also survived by her six children and their spouses, Sharon (Brent) Miller of
Dunkirk, Colleen (the late Keith) Incitto of Dunkirk, Pam (Tim) Nash of Midland,
Michigan, Kevin (Megan) Lynch of Cumming, Georgia, Maureen (John) Wood of
Tonawanda and Patrick (Zoe Lindley) Lynch of Atlanta, Georgia, 41 grandchildren
and great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, who love her dearly and
think of her often.
Rita graduated from St. Mary’s of Angels Parochial School, Olean High School,
attended Canisius College and was a graduate of Mercy School of Nursing in
Buffalo, New York. Rita worked at hospitals in Olean and Buffalo, before meeting
and marrying the love of her life, Thomas Meecham Lynch, who preceded her in
death in 2016. Rita and Tom (a pharmacist) were married in 1955, moved to
Dunkirk in the early 1960’s, eventually owning the West Drug Company.
Rita led a fruitful and exciting life raising her six children. She worked in various
facets of the nursing profession, served as a volunteer with the Red Cross, served
on the boards of the Altar Rosary Society and Brooks Hospital Auxiliary.
On her 95 th birthday the Congress of the United States recognized Rita’s lifelong
accomplishments with an official tribute in the U.S. Congressional Record.
Faith, family and friends were the focal point in her life, from caring for her mother,
mother-in-law and brother Donald, to staying in contact with friends near and far.
Rita’s last words: “No, I can’t answer the door, I don’t have my lipstick on!”
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by
Rita’s great-nephew, Father Thomas Yehl on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 10:00 AM
in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Fredonia. Entombment will be in the Pieta Mausoleum
of St. Mary’s Cemetery following the mass.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to EWTN or St.
Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
and entered the gates of heaven on May 20, 2024 while receiving care at Buffalo
General Hospital. Rita was born to Behia and James Thomas who emigrated from
Lebanon in pursuit of freedom and the American Dream. Rita was raised in a
loving family with six siblings including her twin brother Joseph Thomas
(deceased), Reverend Donald N. Thomas (deceased), Cecelia (Dean) Yehl
(deceased), Elizabeth (William) Yehl (deceased), Edmund (Candy) Thomas
(deceased) and her surviving sibling, Nancy (David) McClelland.
Rita is also survived by her six children and their spouses, Sharon (Brent) Miller of
Dunkirk, Colleen (the late Keith) Incitto of Dunkirk, Pam (Tim) Nash of Midland,
Michigan, Kevin (Megan) Lynch of Cumming, Georgia, Maureen (John) Wood of
Tonawanda and Patrick (Zoe Lindley) Lynch of Atlanta, Georgia, 41 grandchildren
and great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, who love her dearly and
think of her often.
Rita graduated from St. Mary’s of Angels Parochial School, Olean High School,
attended Canisius College and was a graduate of Mercy School of Nursing in
Buffalo, New York. Rita worked at hospitals in Olean and Buffalo, before meeting
and marrying the love of her life, Thomas Meecham Lynch, who preceded her in
death in 2016. Rita and Tom (a pharmacist) were married in 1955, moved to
Dunkirk in the early 1960’s, eventually owning the West Drug Company.
Rita led a fruitful and exciting life raising her six children. She worked in various
facets of the nursing profession, served as a volunteer with the Red Cross, served
on the boards of the Altar Rosary Society and Brooks Hospital Auxiliary.
On her 95 th birthday the Congress of the United States recognized Rita’s lifelong
accomplishments with an official tribute in the U.S. Congressional Record.
Faith, family and friends were the focal point in her life, from caring for her mother,
mother-in-law and brother Donald, to staying in contact with friends near and far.
Rita’s last words: “No, I can’t answer the door, I don’t have my lipstick on!”
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by
Rita’s great-nephew, Father Thomas Yehl on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 10:00 AM
in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Fredonia. Entombment will be in the Pieta Mausoleum
of St. Mary’s Cemetery following the mass.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to EWTN or St.
Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rita J. Lynch, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Funeral Service
Saturday, June 1, 2024
10:00 - 11:00 am (Eastern time)
St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church
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