Jessie Rae Cato Lynch

Jessie Rae Cato Lynch passed peacefully at home on February 12, 2022, at the amazing age of 105 1/2. She was preceded in death by husband Larry, son Robert, daughter Tricia, son in Law Bud and grandson Danny, All of her siblings, and countless nieces, nephews, and cherished loved ones.

Jessie is survived by daughter Terri, Son-in-law Ed, Grandchildren David, Kristi and Laura, great grandchildren Stacy, Dana, Sean, Clayton and Jack, and great- great grandson Ethan.

Jessie was a mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother, and for the past 5 years, even a great-great-grandmother. Very few have the gift of a life so long that they can enjoy five generations of family. Jessie was blessed with that privilege.

Born the sixth child of Hugh and Jessie (Patterson) Cato, Jessie’s life began on July 8, 1916, in Cortez, Colorado. She married Lawrence (Larry) Lynch on February 19, 1939, in Durango, Colorado, and they, along with their first child, Tricia, moved to San Diego in 1942, where they started a new life and had two more children, Robert and Terri. For much of their marriage, Larry owned his own Business, and Jessie worked with him. Jessie was a home maker caring for home and family.

Jessie never remarried following Larry’s untimely death in 1975. She spent the next decades enjoying travel, her artwork, taking classes, and spending time with Family and friends, both in California and Colorado. She was active in Gold Star Mothers following Robert’s death in Viet Nam and in the Lakeside Historical Society with daughter Tricia for several years while living there. In later years Jessie still traveled with friends and spent time with Niece Judy (who knows Jessie as her second mom) and Judy’s family in Texas. Jessie was able to travel to Colorado and visit with family and friends into her 90’s. She traveled up until she was 102, taking a flight to Texas with daughter Terri to be with Judy and her Texas family.

Jessie was able to continue her artwork until the age of 104 with her devoted friend Barbara, who would spend time these last years coming to see jessie at home and completing art projects with Jessie Rae.

Jessie was very fortunate to be able to spend her final years in the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Terri and Ed Fitzpatrick. Their care and dedication allowed her a comfortable and dignified life until the very end.

When most of us think of Jessie Rae, the first word that comes to mind is “fun.” She had a sparkle in her eye, a girlish laugh, loved to enjoy a glass or three of wine, and was most at home singing around a campfire or working on a painting. Her smile (and still with her own teeth) could light a room, and her giggle was infectious.

Jessie’s ashes will be interred this summer in Durango, Colorado, alongside Larry, Tricia, Bud, and Danny.