Linda "Lynne" Sarmiento Shell

Lynne S. Shell passed away on Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023. Born on September 16, 1946, Lynne was raised by her loving parents Ruby and Raymond Hornbuckle in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Coming of age in the 1960s, she embodied the open-hearted ideals of that decade. She attended college at the University of Oklahoma, and during her life travels resided in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Lawrence, Kansas, Brockport, New York, and Houston, Texas before returning to Norman, Oklahoma, where she lived from the early 1990s onward. Always quick to laugh or make a joke, and frequently humming or singing a tune, she was a creative person and a lover of books, music, and food.

She worked primarily as a schoolteacher, first at Holy Spirit Episcopal School in Houston, and then at Gingerbread Nursery School and Kindergarten, Middle Earth Child Development Center, and St Joseph's Early Childhood Development Center in Norman. Over the course of three decades of teaching, Lynne positively impacted the lives of over 1000 young people; it was not uncommon for her to be out and about in Norman and hear someone call, "Teacher Lynne!" as a former student approached to give her a hug and thank her for the support and instruction she had given them early in life.

Lynne was also a loving and devoted mother to six children, on whose behalf she worked tirelessly and made many sacrifices. She was compassionate, kind, and generous, supporting her children and creating a home that was the center of social life and activity for her kids and their friends. She loved to host festive occasions and holiday celebrations, providing food and a warm atmosphere for all. Her love and compassion extended to the animal kingdom as well, especially to dogs, and she had numerous canine companions over the course of her life.

Lynne is survived by her husband Matt Shell, her sons Robert Sarmiento, Eric Sarmiento, and Adam Sarmiento, her daughter Patia Waddle, her stepdaughter Hannah Monroe and stepson Thade Shell, her grandchildren Andrew Sarmiento, Izzy Collins, Zea Sarmiento, Kyte Collins, and Marlo Monroe, and her dog Jill. A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held at McFarlin United Methodist Church at 419 S. University Boulevard in Norman on April 28 at 11 am.