Romayne F. Lynott

Romayne F. Lynott, of Scranton's Hill Section, died at her son's home on Tuesday morning, a few weeks shy of her 99th birthday, comfortable, quietly, at peace. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 55 years, John L. "Speed" Lynott, who died in 1997.

Born in Scranton, daughter of the late Francis and Irene Nolan Lynott, she was a graduate of Scranton Central High School, but was never done learning. She took classes at Lackawanna Business College before marrying Speed, and raising an ever-growing family in the house they bought in the Petersburg section of town. After raising their own seven kids, the Lynotts opened their home on Myrtle Street to day care, receiving generations of children whose parents had to work, keeping them safe, clean, engaged and well fed, for over 35 years. In 1996, she was honored as Northeast Woman, describing her as "vigorous" and "indefatigable," and noting that she influenced most of the children on the Hill.

Romayne had many talents. Besides cooking and oil painting, Romayne was a talented seamstress, admittedly hooked on quilting and the camaraderie of her quilting clubs. Many of these talents are reflected to this day in the lives of her children.

Romayne lived her faith. She instilled lasting Catholic values in her children, through their education and involvement in the neighborhood Chapel School and Chapel Church, now Immaculate Conception Parish. Leading by example, she served as a Eucharistic Minister and on church committees for the Altar and Rosary Society and Annual Block Party. Devoted to the venerable saint, she attended the Novena to St. Ann every year of its 97-year tradition, since inception in 1923. Romayne and her friends would usually walk there in younger days, from The Hill to The Heights, about an eight-mile pilgrimage, round trip, because, "it was part of me." Active in her community, she was a card carrying member of the D.A.R., Hill Neighborhood Association, Friends of the Scranton Public Library, and Silver Sneakers at the Y, among others.

Romayne attended Marywood College in her 60s, went on a hot air balloon ride for her 80th birthday and was a living legend in The Hill. But after a very brief illness recently, she decided it was time to reunite with her husband, a daughter, a son, "grandmother" and many other loving friends. Her entire life was spent caring for, teaching and helping everyone she met. Looking back, she did a remarkable job. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren couldn't get enough of her. She was engaging, knowledgeable, witty, and fun to be around. Her church, her neighbors, the quilters and all the day care children she mentored all held a special place with her. She was one of those rarest of people who always made you feel better after being around her.

Suffice it to say that at five feet, one inch and 105 pounds, "My Nana" was a giant in all of our lives.

The family would like to thank her daughter, Teresa, and husband, Brian, who never left her side for the past two weeks, her daughter-in-law, Norina, for the loving care she gave her daily for the past six months, and her granddaughter, Erin, for her timely visits.

She is survived by three sons, John "Spike" Lynott and wife, Norina, Clarks Summit; Francis Lynott and wife, Denise, North Carolina; and Anthony Lynott, Throop; three daughters, Romayne "Posie" Gerrity, Scranton; Marianne MacDonald and husband, William, Florida; and Teresa McCarthy and husband, Brian, Frederick, Md.; a daughter-in-law, Vicky Lynott, Springfield, Va.; a brother-in-law, Jerome Lynott and wife, Romayne, Scranton; a sister-in-law, Pauline Hawley, Levittown; 14 grandchildren, Dr. John (Samantha), Kara (Mark), Kelly, Brian, Jody (Erin), Patrick, Shannon (Jay), Colleen, Timmy (Jill), Brian (Victoria), Matthew (Rachel), Shawn, Cassie (Aaron), and Haley (Tucker); 23 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by a son, Leo Lynott, and a daughter, Irene, in infancy; brothers, Frank and Jack; and sisters, Janet Hatcher and Nancy Swanholme.

Due to the current pandemic, funeral arrangements will be private at the convenience of the family. Interment, beside her husband, Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.

Arrangements, Frank M. Regan Funeral Home, 715 Linden St., Scranton.