JOAN MARIE LYNCH

February 1, 1935 – April 28, 2023

Joan Lynch passed away peacefully at St. James Healthcare on Friday, April 28, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. Joan was born on February 1, 1935, to John and Laura (Mooney) Lynch in Butte, Montana. She was raised in Walkerville, attended St. Lawrence O'Toole Grade School, and graduated from Girls' Central High School in 1953.

Joan valued education, and especially her Catholic education. She attended Saint Mary's College in Leavenworth, Kansas where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 1957, followed by medical technology training. Joan was a life-long learner. She continued her academic journey at Montana Tech, Carroll College, and Central Michigan University, where she received a Master's Degree in Health Care Administration in 1990.

Joan spent the majority of her career as a Medical Technologist, first in Kansas City then in Butte. She took a five-year break from pathology and joined the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. During that time, she worked as an assistant teacher in Leavenworth and then a classroom teacher in Sheridan, Wyoming. Joan returned to her roots in Butte and resumed work at St. James Community Hospital. She retired from the position of Clinical Laboratory Scientist and Supervisor of Support Service and Education in 1995.

After her retirement, Joan dedicated her life to serving others. She cared for her parents, volunteered at Butte Central writing grants, and worked as a foster grandparent at Kennedy Elementary School. She served on the Senior Service Corp. Board in Helena, was a lector at St. Patrick's Church, and spent the rest of her days performing additional works of labor and love.

Joan's life centered on music, family, faith, and friends. She never missed an activity, celebration, or holiday with her family, who adored her. She was deeply religious and brought that love and faith to each occasion. We know she is singing and dancing with the angels in Heaven.

Her love of music started at home with her mom teaching her to harmonize. It continued with the St. Lawrence Grade School choir, choirs in high school and college, and singing for weddings, funerals, and her happy birthday voicemails, touching many with her perfect pitch. She thoroughly enjoyed the events at the Mother Lode and sang with the Note-A-Belles, who were her dear friends for over forty years.

Joan enjoyed her later years with her beloved soul mate and companion, Ed Foley. They enjoyed their time together going to church, attending family functions, cheering at sporting events, dancing at the Elks and the Montana Folk Festival, attending the theatre, and lunch at Wendy's. They enjoyed trips to Big Fork, Glacier Park, and the annual visit to Placid Lake with the Badovinac Crew.

Joan was preceded in death by Ed Foley, her parents, infant sister Mary Ann, twin brothers John and Kevin, brother-in-law Dan McGeehan, and other members of the Mooney and Lynch families.

Joan is survived by sisters Joyce McGeehan and Janet (John) Badovinac; nieces and nephews Colleen (Tim) Norbeck, Dan (Patty) McGeehan, Amy (Todd) Guldseth, Brett (Amanda) Badovinac, Cara (Jeremey) Whitlock; great nieces and nephews Casey (Caroline) Norbeck, Carlee (Sean) Brown, Erin (Jake Hanley) and Brian McGeehan, Kale (Sydney Norris), Ali, and Gage Guldseth, Drew, Brooke, and Kodee Badovinac, and Trey, Reid, and Libbi Whitlock; and relatives of the Mooney and Cunningham families.

Special thanks to Doctors Chamberlain, Cohen, Hueftle, Hull, McDonald, Robinson, Shearman, and Shuttlesworth as well as all of the other nurses and doctors at St. James Healthcare for taking wonderful care of Joan.

Joan lived a long and happy life. She will be remembered for the abundance of love she gave and received, her vivacious laugh, how she rubbed her hands together and how she twirled her keys (when they weren't lost), her strength and courage during health challenges, and, of course, her cookie parties where she served cookies and hot chocolate to her great nieces and nephews. Cookie parties rock at Joan's!

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 15 at St Patrick's Church. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. Memorials can be made to Butte Central Catholic Schools or the donor's choice.