Obituary: Philanthropist Carolyn Lynch

Local philanthropist Carolyn Lynch died on Thursday, Oct. 1 from complications following a recent onset of Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Lynch, 69, was the wife of Fidelity Magellan Fund executive Peter Lynch and the co-founder of The Lynch Foundation.

Lynch was the co-creator, president, and chief executive officer of the Lynch Foundation for the past 27 years.

“Carolyn touched so many lives and we were blessed to have her as the co-creator, President and Chief Executive Officer for the last 27 years,” Lynch Foundation Executive Director Katie Everett wrote on its website on Thursday. “The Lynch Foundation embodies her core values and faith. Over the last 18 years I had the privilege of her mentorship, nurturing, support, and friendship. Carolyn was incredibly grateful to lead the work of the Lynch Foundation and work alongside our Trustees, staff and partners to achieve dozens of amazing accomplishments. It is important to honor her, continue on the path and make her proud.”

Lynch was alsoo Boston College parent, honorary degree recipient and generous university benefactor who, along with her husband Peter, was the namesake of the Carolyn A. and Peter S. Lynch School of Education.

“Carolyn believed in the importance of education and was deeply committed to its advancement,” said University President Willaim Leahy. “Along with her husband Peter, she has left a lasting legacy at Boston College.”

Lynch was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, served on the boards of multiple organizations, including the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania; Catholic Charities Boston; RENEW International; the Peabody Essex Museum; Deerfield Academy; New England Historic Genealogical Society; WGBH Science Visiting Council; and the New England Conservatory of Music, as well as the United Way and Catholic Charities.

Lynch is survived by her husband, Peter, and their three daughters and six grandchildren; Mary Lynch Witkowski and her husband, Erik, and their four children, Erika Carolyn, Luke, Catherine and Jack, of Brookline; Annie Carolyn Lukowski and her husband, Scott, and their son, Simon, of Los Angeles; and Elizabeth de Montrichard and her husband, Gonzague, and their daughter, Charlotte, of Boston.

She is also survived by two sisters, Melanie Rapp and her husband, David, of Dover, Del.; and Madalin O’Brien and her husband, William, of Reading, Penn., as well as her nephews, Andrew and Nicholas Rapp, and niece, Callista O’Brien.

A private wake and funeral will be held Oct. 9 and 10. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to WGBH/NOVA for “Mystery of Monster Black Holes” — a series that Carolyn helped foster — and to the North Point Skateboard Park of the Charles River Conservancy.

Photo courtesy of Boston College