Lynn Kubasek Remembered After Battle With Pancreatic Cancer

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — Lynn Kubasek, a Laguna Beach resident and open water swimmer, lost her battle with pancreatic cancer on Wednesday, January 23.

Born in July 1958, the 60-year-old swimmer "rarely slowed down," her friends said.

Kubasek's diagnosis came in September of 2018, "less than three weeks after she successfully swam 28 miles around Manhattan Island, and one week after completing a 50 mile Catalina Island relay," friend Scott Zornig said.

Kubasek was a friend, mother, and "tender-hearted person," Zornig wrote of the fundraiser he established for her care.

Kubasek gathered around her a family-by-choice of open water swimmers and swimming aficionados who enjoyed the fun, the challenge and the "camaraderie" of ocean swimming.
In Laguna Beach, she was an active swimmer of the coves, in the Oak Streakers club, friend Patsee Ober, a fellow open water swimmer told the Register.

Her achievements in the sport were vast, among them, crossing from Santa Cruz Island to Anacapa in just over five hours in 2013. She also crossed the channel from Laguna Beach to Santa Catalina Island in just over 19 hours, 44 minutes.
She had planned to swim the English Channel marathon in 2021.

In the end, her family of open water swimmers helped her with her care, from driving to doctor's appointments to delivering medication and handling personal matters and providing financial support where needed.

According to the Register, Lisa Nordholm, a neighbor, opened her doors for Kubasek's hospice care; another friend, Audrey Viers of San Clemente, stayed by her side during hospice.
"There is nothing more special than a group of people rallying together to give back to a person who gave so much to us, including that trademark smile," Zornig said on the GoFundMe page, established to help pay her medical bills.

Friends surrounded her bedside at the end, holding her hand and keeping her warm.

"She was sound asleep" when she passed away, and was surrounded by friends, Ober told the Register.

Her presence will be missed, friends agree.

"Please remember that Lynn may not be in our sight anymore, but she will always be in our hearts," Zornig told supporters. "We are all blessed to have had Lynn in our lives."

Information about Lynn Kubasek's memorial service will be added when it is released.

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Photo, courtesy GoFundMe