Priscilla A. Lynch

“You can shed tears that she is gone, or you can smile because she has lived.”

                                                                                                                    -David Hawkins

Priscilla A. Lynch, age 74, passed away on Saturday, January 14th at her home in Romeoville.  Priscilla was born on January 8, 1949 in Joliet, daughter of the late Laverne and Ann (Zamkovitz) Lynch.  She grew up in Joliet graduating from Joliet West High School in 1967.  After high school, Priscilla attended the University of Wyoming where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, subsequently receiving a Masters in Nursing at the University of Iowa and a second Masters from St. Xavier University in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing.

After college, Priscilla returned home to Joliet and began her 30 year career at Rush University Medical Center as a psychiatric nursing professional.  She served as Director of Inpatient Adult Psychiatry and Director of Inpatient Child Adolescent Psychiatry.  She was also a faculty member of the College of Nursing at Rush.  Priscilla was well respected for her knowledge, compassion, and tenacity in helping others by not only her co-workers, but by the doctors she worked closely with on a daily basis.

Upon retiring from Rush in 2008, Priscilla continued working as a mental health professional at Riverside Hospital in Kankakee and had been currently operating a private practice at her office in Bourbonnais.  Throughout her career, Priscilla was invited to lecture on a national level at many psychiatric conferences and seminars and was a published author as well.  Hard-working, persevering, and caring, Priscilla helped so many people find their way along life’s journey.

Priscilla was dedicated to helping others outside of her professional life too.  She was currently in her 29th year of serving as a member of the Cornerstone Services Board of Directors.  You could hear Priscilla over the radio sharing her expertise on a wide variety of topics including mental health issues, the last Friday of every month on WJOL’s Lynne, Mary, and Natalie Show and later the Mary and Natalie Show.

Throughout her life, Priscilla was many things to so many people.  She was the one who would never forget you on a holiday or birthday with a special card, gift or message.  She was the person who would call you every Sunday while you were in college to hear how things were going.  She was the one you could count on to always be there to hold your hand in the darkest of times.  She was the organized planner who would meticulously think of every little detail to make your shower, birthday party, or anniversary celebration a memorable one.  She was love.

Whether you were a relative, friend, colleague, patient, or stranger, once you met Priscilla, your life became a little brighter and a lot better.  She always found the best in everyone. Thoughtful, caring, honest; all words best describing Priscilla, but generosity has always been at the core of Priscilla’s character.  Everything she did in her life was to give and support others.

She was especially gifted at knowing just the right thing to say at just the right time and often found famous quotes to share.  Perhaps the great Jim Henson’s words best convey Priscilla:

“Please watch out for each other and love and forgive everybody.  It’s a good life, enjoy it.”

She leaves to cherish her memory, brother, Lorin Lynch, brother, Blake (Sharon) Lynch, and sister-in-law, Lorna Lynch.  Beloved aunt to Amy (Kevin) Bab, Matthew (Melissa) Lynch, Christina (David) Maes, Ava Lynch, Jake Lynch, and Eric Lichtenauer.  Admired great aunt to Colin and Grace Bab, Charlotte and Chase Lynch, and Lillian Lichtenauer. 

She is reunited in Heaven with her parents, LaVerne and Ann, brother, Brian Lynch, uncle, Boris Zamkovitz and Lynne Lichtenauer.

A memorial gathering honoring Priscilla will be held on Monday, January 23, 2023, 11:00 am at Blackburn-Giegerich-Sonntag Funeral Home, 1500 Black Road, Joliet, IL 60435.  Visitation will be held prior to the service from 9:00-11:00 am. 

Private interment immediately following at Elmhurst Cemetery, 1212 East Washington Street, Joliet, IL 60433.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Cornerstone Services of Joliet.