Irene "Honey" (Lynch) Honey

A Celebration of Life

July 1, 1947 - November 6, 2010

Irene Lynch Honey, always known as "Honey" (July 1, 1947 - November 6, 2010), resident of Portland and Long Island, Maine. Honey unexpectedly passed away on her most special island in Maine, which she loved more than anywhere else in the world.

Honey was born in Boston, MA and grew up in Winchester, MA. Her father, Dr. Joseph P. Lynch, Jr. was from Marlboro, MA and her mother, Irene Kelley Lynch, from Milton, MA. Honey, her twin brother Joe, and younger brother Kevin were part of an Irish clan of 58 first cousins. In 1971 Honey married Stephen "Tim" Honey, from Westport, CT. Together they raised two beloved children, Kristen and Ryan.

Honey graduated from Georgetown University in 1969 and received a Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Syracuse University. Throughout her professional career she worked with thousands of students in career counseling and student development. Her university service took her to the University of Southern Maine, Rhode Island College, University of Colorado, and George Washington University.

Honey loved to travel and had an amazing eye for unique folk art and paintings. She appreciated beauty in every town, city, country and continent she journeyed to with her husband, children and friends. She was also an artist in her own right, painting watercolors of the family garden, sunsets on Casco Bay, and the snows of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Honey profoundly touched people from around the globe. She and her husband Tim began their marriage by honeymooning in Africa, and she always felt a spiritual connection to the African people and their beautiful continent. Whether volunteering in a township in South Africa or visiting her family on the West Coast, Honey loved exploring, learning, sharing and laughing as she brought joy to all she touched. In recent years, Honey returned to Maine to reconnect with the deep friendships and strong communities that she cherished. From this a renewed spirituality flourished.

Above all else, Honey's greatest passion was her family. Her love knew no limits and she taught her children and their friends to follow their passions and dreams. Honey opened her arms, home, and heart to anyone who asked. Exchange students, guests, and friends in need were lifted up by her generosity and made part of her extended family. Her love was boundless and unconditional.

Honey touched the lives of so many with her smile, compassion, insight, charm, and wonderful sense of humor that often left friends literally crying with laughter. Honey would want everyone to keep on loving and laughing.

Honey is survived by her husband Tim, daughter Kristen, son Ryan, twin brother Dr. Joseph Lynch, younger brother Kevin Lynch, daughter-in-law Amy Honey and granddaughter Nyala Honey.

The family is requesting that in lieu of flowers or other gifts, donations be made to the Thabaneng Primary School in South Africa. Honey helped support this school in Soweto since the 1990s when she and Tim first visited there. She is dearly loved and appreciated at the school, as she helped to truly transform the lives of students over the years.

The Center for Responsible Travel (CREST), a non-profit organization, will facilitate these donations so that overseas fund transfers will comply with US laws and be tax deductable.

Denotations can be made in one of two ways:

1. Visit www.travelersphilanthropy.org/thabanengschool where you will find a link to information about donating to the memorial fund, or

2. Mail a check to Tim Honey at 233 Bradley Street Portland, Maine 04103. Please make checks out to CREST and put on the check’s subject line: Thabaneng Primary School

Visitation hours will be on Friday, November 12 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at the Jones Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home: 199 Woodford St, Portland, ME 04103

www.jonesrichandhutchins.com

A Memorial Service in Celebration of Honey’s Life will be held on Saturday, November 13 at 11:00 AM at the First Parish Church: 425 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101. Immediately following the service there will be a reception in the State of Maine Room, Portland City Hall.

Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home & Cremation Services

199 Woodford St.

Portland, ME 04103

207-775-3763

www.jonesrichandhutchins.com