Middlesex, VT

Lynne Lavon Walther passed away on Friday, September 19, 2025, at Woodridge Rehabilitation and Nursing facility in Berlin, Vermont. Her spirit left her body on a stunning autumn afternoon, and her departure was attuned with the changing of the seasons, the migration of geese overhead, and the bright, luminous sunlight that shone on colorful falling leaves and reflected from flowing rivers nearby. Her sons, Jamie and Rich Does were at her side, and they, along with Lynne's adoring and supportive husband, Robert Lincoln, and many close friends, had been blessed to spend precious and sacred time with Lynne every day and evening during the 13-day-long vigil leading to her final transition.

She lived her last days as she had lived her life: with humor, patience, persistence, strength, courage, openness, grace, radiant smiles, love, and appreciation for and kindness to her family, friends, and the many wonderful health professionals and caretakers who helped her through her dying process.

Lynne was born on August 22, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois. She attended Rockford College, where she met her first husband, Richard B. Does. She earned two Master's degrees, in both English and Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She taught English briefly at St. Johnsbury Academy in St. Johnsbury, VT. She and her family lived in East Lansing, Michigan, before moving to Vermont in 1969. She spent her early years there running Hobbit Hill Nursery School at her home in Colchester, raising her boys, gardening, and taking care of a small farm with a few horses, goats, chickens, cats, and dogs.

She later moved to Burlington, where she lived for many years. She also lived in Montpelier and Middlesex, where she spent more than 30 years with her wonderful husband, Bob, whom she married in 1999. She created a diverse and meaningful work life, including Psych Assessment Technician, Director of The Church Street Center for Education, and Director of Volunteer Services at The Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility. Lynne retired as a Policy and Implementation Analyst for the State of Vermont Department of Corrections in Waterbury, where she was influential in the development and implementation of Restorative Justice programs.

Lynne was a strong athlete, and for many years during her forties, she trained and raced with a local chapter of the U.S. Masters Swimming organization, setting records for her age group in several events throughout New England and beyond. She swam in some triathlons, and in 1986, she swam 6 miles across Lake Champlain. She loved to ride horses, canoe, hike, bike, camp, and xc ski, inspiring and supporting her sons in their athletic, outdoor, and adventurous lives, as well.

She was a generous and concerned friend and neighbor, and often gave her time, care, and support to people in less fortunate circumstances, even as she gracefully and stoically endured challenging health issues associated with the long-term side effects of a difficult cancer treatment that she courageously faced in 2003. Lynne worked with Dismas House, supporting former prisoners' healthy transitions back into society, served as a Mentor for young people in Central Vermont, volunteered at an equine therapy program for challenged youth, and donated time to a gleaning program where she helped harvest surplus food from farms for donation to organizations addressing hunger, among many other selfless efforts.

Lynne shared her sense of humor, inquisitive mind, and adventurous spirit with many close, long-time friends from many walks of life. She was very fond of the inclusive and inspiring services and community at Christ Church, Presbyterian in Burlington, where she served as a deacon for several years.

Lynne was also a prolific reader of books and writer of letters, frequently sharing her thoughts, experiences, memories, insights, humor, and kindness in eloquent words to her husband, sons, grandchildren Graham, Natalie, and Finn Does, sister Marsha, brother Scott, other relatives, and an ever-growing group of friends-always noting what she loved and appreciated about them. She also enjoyed music and dance.

She is survived by her husband, Bob Lincoln, who cared for her with great love and humor, her sister, Marsha Kremer of Argyle, Wisconsin, her sons, and her grandchildren. She is predeceased by her parents, Marshall Walther and Lavon Welter Walther, and her brother, Scott Walther.

In Lynne's memory, please be kind to each other, to yourselves, and to those who are in need, nurture and celebrate your creativity, and find time to commune silently with nature and your own inner love and light, where perhaps her spirit will find a way to meet and touch your heart again and again.