Obituary of Mary Pomeroy Grant Lynch

Mary Pomeroy Grant Lynch, a long-time resident of Greenwich, CT, Vero Beach, FL, and more recently Rowayton, CT died peacefully in her home on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, having been surrounded by her five adoring daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren and great grandchildren in the days before. She was two months shy of her 89th birthday. Mary, known as "Muffie", was the middle of three children of the late John Phillips Grant and Mary Harriet Collins Grant of New Canaan, CT. Muffie is predeceased by her husband, William Redington Lynch ("Bill") and by her brother Dr. John P. Grant, Jr. of New York, NY, and is survived by her sister Priscilla Grant of Cape Elizabeth, ME, her daughters Melissa Woolford (Andrew) of Norwalk, CT, Elizabeth Lynch (John Hartley) of Venice, CA, Cynthia Adams (Daniel) of Darien, CT, Kimberly Barr (Judson) of New Canaan, CT, and Sarah Lynch (Justin Wolff) of Portland, ME; grandchildren Eliza Hanly (Kevin), Alex Woolford (Anna), Colin Woolford (Samantha), Alden Woolford, Isabel Hartley, Caitlin Adams, Hannah, Austin, and Samuel Barr, and Ruby, Oscar and Sadie Wolff; and three great grandchildren: Patrick Hanly (Eliza and Kevin), Grant Woolford (Colin and Samantha) and Charlie Woolford (Alex and Anna). Muffie graduated from Abbott Academy (now Andover) in 1953 and went on to major in History at Smith College, graduating in 1957. In her beautiful alto voice, Muffie sang in a cappella groups at Abbott and Smith. She spoke French and studied in Geneva during her junior year. After college, Muffie taught History at the Delmar Burke School in San Francisco, CA. In December of 1957, Muffie met Bill, her devoted husband of 60 years, at the wedding of his cousin. The two were engaged soon thereafter and wed on August 22,1958. Until Bill's death in 2018, they delighted in each other's company, as well as that of their family. Muffie and Bill spent their early years in New York City, then settled in Greenwich, CT to raise their five daughters. A natural community leader, Muffie devoted herself to many organizations in Greenwich and beyond, including the YWCA, Girl Scouts, PTA, and the New York-based Fresh Air Fund and East Side Settlement House. She was particularly passionate about Family Centers of Greenwich, where she served as Board Chair from 1981 to 1983, Board Member until 2008, and Senior Advisor until her death. Muffie helped expand Family Centers' programs in early childhood, mental health and counseling, and eventually became a national Board Member of Family Service America. Muffie also served on the Board of the Putnam Trust Company of Greenwich (now part of The Bank of New York Mellon). Muffie had a sharp mind and a wide range of interests. She was an avid reader and loved to discuss current events and politics. She loved to play bridge with friends and competed in tournaments too. Muffie shared her love of music and games with her children and grandchildren, as well as her love of travel. A favorite memory is a 6-week cross-country family trip to celebrate the bicentennial, with Muffie at the wheel of a 27-ft. RV. She loved to return to a family camp in Belgrade Lakes, Maine, where she and Bill vacationed for more than 50 years with their extended family. Muffie was fun-loving, with a warm smile and a contagious laugh. She was always engaged in the lives of others. An attentive listener with a strong moral compass, she was a great source of strength to those who knew and loved her. We will miss her dearly and we'll continue to hear her voice and laughter and feel her love in our hearts. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 10:00 AM at the Second Congregational Church at 139 E. Putnam Avenue, Greenwich, Connecticut. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Family Centers, Inc., Greenwich, CT, Americares, Stamford, CT, PIER Program at Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME.