Frances M (Froio) Lynch

On Thursday, July 2, 2020 Frances Marie Lynch, (nee Froio) age 97, of Columbia, Maryland passed away at her home at the Residences of Vantage Point.

Frances was born April 2, 1923 in Wildwood, New Jersey to Francesco Froio and Rosina Calogero. Outside of raising her family, her proudest accomplishment was her service as a YN1 (1st class petty officer yeoman) in the US Navy Waves from 1944-1949. She was awarded the Navy World War II Victory Medal and the Navy Good Conduct Medal. Her most memorable experience was serving at the US Naval Frontier Base in Cape May, New Jersey during the time that a German submarine was captured off the beach in the Atlantic Ocean. After the war, she was stationed at the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington, D.C. where she met John W. Lynch “Jack”, her husband of 47 years.  She enrolled in George Washington University, compliments of the G.I. Bill. Marriage followed, and Frances and Jack eventually settled in Silver Spring, Maryland where they raised their family. In 1969 the family became one of the earliest residents of the new city of Columbia. Frances was a parishioner of St. Louis Catholic Church for many years where she was a devoted member of “Mary’s Friends”. She worked as an editorial assistant for The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory from 1971-1995. For most of her career Frances assisted in the creation of high-quality technical publications, notably as Production Manager for the McClure Center Magazine and then for the McClure Center/User Services Center Newsletter.  Frances was always fitness-conscious. In her hometown of Wildwood-By-The-Sea she learned to love the water and became a life-long swimmer. As a senior citizen Frances joined the Masters Swim Program and participated in Maryland’s Senior Olympics, winning seven medals over the course of three years. Swimming was a key part of Frances’ success at staying young as she aged. Throughout her adult life, she swam, jogged or exercised almost daily. As a housewife in the 1950s and 1960s she was an avid fan of the Jack LaLanne show and her passion for exercise never waned. She often imparted three pieces of advice for those who wish to grow old with vigor: 1. Exercise daily 2. Keep a positive attitude 3. Associate with young people. Frances had friends of all ages; when she was an octogenarian she referred to one special group of friends as her “teenage friends”. Actually, these women were in their 50s-70s, but they were all young at heart. An eager and intrepid traveler, Frances visited over 30 countries. She loved visiting her parents’ homeland, and brushed up on her native Italian in preparation for her trips. Frances enthusiastically supported Jack’s love of Irish history, song and dance. They enjoyed traveling to the Emerald Isle, driving from town to town and staying in B&Bs along the way. Jack’s passion for golf eventually rubbed off on his wife; in her golden years Frances hit the links. Boating was another shared activity; Jack and Frances spent many enjoyable days cruising the tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay and socializing with friends in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.  At age 80 Frances resolved what she referred to as “unfinished business” and completed her Associate of Arts degree at Howard Community College where she graduated with honors. At age 88 Frances moved from her home in Hobbits Glen to Vantage House. She thrived in the active atmosphere of independent living where her life was further enriched by an additional circle of friends. She enjoyed bus excursions, trips to the pool and regular Scrabble games. Each year on Veterans’ Day she proudly donned her Navy Wave uniform (it still fit) and participated in the facility’s celebration. In recent years she transitioned to the Memory Care Unit where she was lovingly and compassionately cared for by the devoted, skilled staff. She passed away peacefully on her mother’s birthday. Hers was a life well-lived.

Frances is survived by her four children: Michael Lynch (Louisa Nichols), Gregory Lynch, Patricia Carballo (Allen), John Lynch and two grandsons: Adam Carballo (Mary), William Carballo (Marita) and three great-grandchildren: Brandon, Hailey and Leah Carballo. She is preceded in death by her husband Jack

A Visitation will be at Donaldson Funeral Home of Clarksville P.A., 12540 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville, Md on Thursday, July 9 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Interment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to Fisher House Foundation, Fisherhouse.org , in support of veterans and military families.

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