Lynne Ellyn Bacon

November 7, 1947 – May 2, 2026

✶ ✶ ✶

Lynne Ellyn Bacon, beloved wife, devoted mother, cherished grandmother, and steadfast friend, passed on May 2, 2026, in Tampa, Florida, at the age of 78. A woman of keen intellect, deep loyalty, and unwavering integrity, Lynne lived a life defined by love — for her family, her community, the beauty of home, and the perfectly chosen word.

Born on November 7, 1947, to Edward and Gertrude Mitchell in Chicago, Illinois, Lynne was the eldest of five children. She grew up in a lively household filled with the sounds of card games, laughter, and the hum of a close-knit family she adored — her siblings Joyce, Charmaine, Ronald, and Lawrence. As a child, Lynne was active yet thoughtful, often found playing hopscotch on the sidewalk, pedaling through the neighborhood on her bicycle, or imaginatively “designing” her future house out of piles of leaves in the backyard.

From an early age, Lynne’s exceptional aptitude for the written word set her apart. A strong and purposeful student, she graduated from Bremen High School in 1965 and went on to attend Indiana State University. Drawn back home, she channeled her natural gift for language into work as an advertising copywriter in Chicago — crafting compelling prose at a time when few young women held such roles. She later joined the University of Illinois Research and Education Hospital as a clerk in the surgical recovery room, where fate, as it so often does, intervened. There she met Dr. Bruce Bacon, a surgical resident, and their love story began.

Lynne and Bruce were married in 1972 and embarked together on the adventure of a shared life. Following Bruce’s military service at Fort Stewart near Savannah, the couple planted roots in Fort Myers, Florida — a place Lynne would come to love deeply and call home for decades. It was there that she devoted herself wholeheartedly to raising her four daughters: Kimberly, Jennifer, Deborah, and Julie. She was tireless in her involvement in her children’s activities --whether she was standing watch at the pool, applauding at a school concert, or supporting her girls at academic or athletic competitions, Lynne was always there — a steady, supportive presence.

Even as she poured herself into motherhood, Lynne’s energy extended far beyond her own front door. Her organizational and writing talents found a natural home in philanthropic work, and she became a valued voice for educational and healthcare causes throughout Southwest Florida. She served as co-chair of the Lee County Medical Society Women’s Auxiliary and contributed meaningfully to the Fort Myers Women’s Community Club’s Holiday House and Edison Pageant of Light, the Carissa Garden Club, and countless activities at Canterbury School and Fort Myers High School.

Those who had the privilege of knowing Lynne well speak of her with consistent tenderness: intelligent, loyal, and thoughtful to a fault. She cultivated deep and lasting friendships, the kind built on genuine interest in others and an almost uncanny ability to make people feel understood.

Lynne possessed a genuine flair for design and a discerning eye for beauty. She took great pleasure in interior design and decorated her home with care and intention, seeking out antique treasures that told a story and brought her joy. The holidays, in particular, brought out her creative spirit in full. She would spend hours dressing the Christmas tree to perfection, coordinating every detail of her home until it glowed with warmth and festivity — a gift, year after year, to everyone who walked through her door.

In her later years, Lynne embraced with great tenderness the roles of grandmother and dog mom. Steven, Samantha, Evelyn, Elizabeth, Kelsey, and James knew her as the Grandma who would never say no to an ice cream outing or a chance to shop for Sunday clothes. Summers were spent at the family’s beloved retreat in Highlands, North Carolina, and quiet evenings in Florida found her watching the sun dip below the horizon from the back porch at the mouth of Whiskey Creek. When she wasn’t taking in the view, she was likely wrestling a difficult crossword puzzle into submission, settling into a contemplative game of solitaire, or enjoying one of her favorite British mystery shows.

When Hurricane Ian devastated their cherished Fort Myers home, Lynne faced the loss with resolve. She never lost the deep affection and connection she held for Southwest Florida and the community she had helped to shape.

Lynne is survived by her devoted husband of more than fifty years, Bruce Bacon; her daughters Kimberly, Jennifer, Deborah, and Julie; her sister Charmaine and brother Lawrence; and her six grandchildren, Steven, Samantha, Evelyn, Elizabeth, Kelsey, and James. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Gertrude Mitchell, and her siblings Joyce and Ronald.

A Memorial Service and Reception will be held at 1pm on June 20, 2026 at The Burroughs Home and Gardens, 2505 1st Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901.

Our world is richer for the love she carried in her heart for us.