Lynn Naomi (Gavin) McGranahan

Lynn Naomi McGranahan (Gavin), age 42, passed peacefully on July 2nd, 2019 while the sun rose in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She led a life of education and service. Providing for others - selflessly, tirelessly, and with a vigor to share her vast knowledge and kindness - she did it with absolutely no expectation of recognition. Making a positive impact on people’s lives was her reward. She loved to travel and see new places. She loved being in nature, and would often find beauty in all details of life. She always overruled any negative situation with a positive outlook, and she could appreciate all people and all walks of life. Lynn treated friends as if they were family, and all were welcomed into her home and her life with open arms. Always taking care of everyone around her, she happily put the needs of family and friends ahead of her own. Lynn was born to Michael Patrick Gavin and Donna Lee Gavin (Hoffman) in Rochester, NY on November 21st, 1976. She graduated from Leroy High School in 1995, and began her studies in elementary education, eventually graduating from James Madison University in the College of Education with a Bachelor of Science degree in Individualized Studies in 2010. She met her husband Mark working at Dexter Shoes in 1996. After working in the retail business for two years, she decided to stay at home to raise her two girls. She never expected to be a stay-at-home mother, but the role suited her well, as a budding educator in early childhood development. Allison Taylor was born in March of 1998, and Jacinth Morgan was born in December of 1999. Lynn and Mark moved their young family from Rochester to Lake George, NY, then to Lancaster, PA, and eventually to Harrisonburg, VA in 2006. Lynn worked in the Harrisonburg City Public Schools, realizing her goal to touch young minds, teaching at the pre-school level. She did so until 2018. Left to honor Lynn and remember her love are her husband Mark McGranahan, two daughters Jacinth McGranahan and Allison McGranahan, her mother Donna Gavin, brother Thomas (and wife Karen) Gavin with nieces Brenna and Olivia, and nephew Michael, sister Kathleen Gavin with nephew Dylan and niece Ada, and sister Eileen Gavin with nephew Maxwell. She is also survived by a loving extended family and innumerable friends, most of which she would consider family as well. A party to celebrate her life will be arranged at a later date for all who would like to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that everyone consider donating to the newly established Lynn McGranahan Memorial Scholarship, annually awarded to a Harrisonburg High School Blue Streak Band member with Lynn’s similar values of service and generosity. For more information, and to contribute, visit this link... https://harrisonburg.k12.va.us/hhs/Department/74-HHS%20Bands or mail contributions to... HHS Band Boosters c/o Kim Haines, Treasurer 16 Laurel Street Harrisonburg, VA 22801