JoAnn Lynch

On June 16, 2024, JoAnn Smith Lynch, exceptional mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away at the Beaches Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. She was 80 years old. She is survived by her son Todd, daughters Diana and Taren, son-in-law Robbie, grandchildren Rob, Sierra and Megan, and siblings Connee, Linda and Eddie. JoAnn was born to military airman Edwin Savage Smith, Jr. and his wife Mildred McMullen Smith during World War II and began her own military service as a Navy wife during the Vietnam War at only 16. For the next 17 years, through continual relocations to postings as far north as Maine and as far south as Puerto Rico, she modeled resilience and adaptability for her growing family. She once fashioned play clothes for her children from some left-behind curtains found at a new billet. On another occasion, when base housing was delayed for several weeks, she created an entire kitchen from cardboard boxes, a hot plate and a cooler in a small hotel room in downtown Ponce. She was a quietly indomitable lady, giving much and asking for very little. JoAnn had a gift for making large blessings out of what other people might see as merely small enjoyments. In her retirement, she delighted in spending time with her Red Hat crew and racketing about in an RV with her much-loved sisters, chasing NASCAR races up and down the southern states. Throughout their lives she maintained unique bonds with each of her children; with her son Todd she was a fierce Gator and Jags supporter, gearing up for each new season like it was her job. With her daughter Diana she traded murder mysteries and maintained a (mostly) friendly Wordle competition. She and her daughter Taren shared a love of dinner theater and the NCIS universe. She was devoted to her remarkable son-in-law Robbie, who treated every opportunity to help her with anything, no matter how small, as a privilege. In her later years, JoAnn’s purest joy was in her beautiful grandchildren, Rob, Megan and Sierra. She found great happiness in each of their milestones and achievements and never tired of recounting their adventures. Last week, JoAnn asked her family to let Jesus take her home. We honored her request, but we will miss her loving heart and mischievous smile, always. The circle is unbroken. A Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday, June 29th from 2:00pm to 5:00pm at 14756 Plumosa Drive, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Lung Association