Obituary: Lynn del Forn Mack
Lynn del Forn Mack of Lexington, NC, completed her final journey on January 8, 2023, surrounded by her family at Hinkle House of Hospice of Davidson County after a five-year battle with breast cancer. Lynn was born on March 9, 1948, in Manhattan, NY, to Cuban parents, Ovidio and Ana del Forn. Along with her younger brother, Alan, they moved to Miami, FL, in 1955 to be closer to family and return to a warmer climate.
In the spirit of community service she would manifest throughout her life, Lynn began volunteering as a Candy Striper at South Miami Hospital at age 14. She graduated from Miami Senior High in 1965. While attending Miami-Dade Community College, she met the love of her life, Robert H. Mack. They were happily married on July 29, 1967, at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Coral Gables, FL. She and Robert then set out for Gainesville, FL, where they attended the University of Florida. She graduated with honors in 1969. She was overtly proud of her alma mater, often bragging about their National Championship football and basketball teams over the years and proudly wearing her University of Florida apparel everywhere she went. Always a proponent of education, she also earned certification in education and reading from Appalachian State University, a Master of Science in education and reading from NC A&T University, and certificates in Spanish translation/interpreting from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro and the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
Lynn and Robert went on to have two children, Glenn Del Mack of Raleigh, NC (born in Gainesville, FL), and Natasha Mack of Raleigh, NC (born in Macon, GA). She loved to brag on and spend time with her three amazing grandchildren, Carlynne Mack Richards (28) (Rodney Jr.), Carl delForn Mack (17), and Solana Blue Mack (11), and more recently her two great-granddaughters, Eliana-Grace Richards (3) and MacKenna-Joy Richards (7 months). She was so proud of them all and attended every event she could to support them.
Along with her deep love of family, Lynn had many passions—traveling the world via cruise ship, community service, her Grace Episcopal Church family, knitting, and so many friends locally and throughout the world. She was an international beacon of light and grace. Although born in NYC, raised in Miami, and having visited more places than most ever dream of, she loved Lexington best of all, her home and community since 1972. It was her happy place, and she found great joy in knowing she had affected so many lives and helped make a difference in the community that had adopted her so many years ago.
Lynn is often remembered for her many years of teaching at Lynn Mack’s Progressive Preschool, but she also taught at Lexington City Schools, Davidson County Schools, Westchester Academy, and Davidson County Community College. Ever aware of the shifting needs of her community and how she could best serve them, she pivoted to draw on her Spanish skills as founder and CEO of Latino Matters, a translation and interpretation firm whose mandate was to help local businesses communicate with the growing local Spanish-speaking population—and to help champion the needs of this population in the community. She shared her talents in this capacity with Lexington Hospital, Lexington Police Department, Family Services of Lexington, Lexington Orthopedics, numerous law firms, and Davidson County Courthouse, among others. She was always willing to help anyone who asked and did so unfailingly with energy and enthusiasm.
Lynn was a vibrant, joyful person who exuded passion in her every move. She loved bright hues, flowers, polka dots, and Sunday finery (especially hats). Her favorite color was royal blue. She was serious about food and savored a good meal, still talking about a dish for weeks or years to come. She loved dark chocolate, cheese, cherries, a flavorful sauce, well-seasoned meats, green vegetables (except kale), and desserts, if not overly sweet. Her skincare routine was flawless. She could shop a sale. Albums and devices are filled with the photographs she took of her family and friends, reflecting the import she placed on recording the moments shared with those she cherished. She danced with abandon. She lived for the new experiences afforded her at every cruise port of call, just as she lived to come home to Lexington to jump back in to help wherever she was needed.
Lynn was outspoken and opinionated, standing up for her ideals without apology. She adored tradition, especially those she established herself, such as marking Glenn and Natasha’s ages on a new Christmas ornament each year, or the silly homemade hat and birthday lunch at her house to honor each preschool student. But she also tried new things: a recipe she found in the newspaper, a different book genre, bungy jumping, the latest technology. Lynn was incredibly generous and loved giving gifts. Long after electronic messages supplanted epistolography, she continued to write heartfelt thank you letters which she posted in the mail, penned in her distinctive script lovelier than any font.
Hers was a richly rewarding life. Lynn was grateful for every gesture ever shown her and incredulous over the outpouring of love and support she received as her cancer progressed. But she could not have had a more devoted, attentive, and loving caregiver than her beloved life (and travel) companion, Robert, who was unwavering and compassionate in his support. He accompanied her every step of the way, from the day they were married until the evening she went home to God.
Lynn was the strongest person you will ever meet. She took no flack, fought for what she believed, and did not give up. Even the cancer did not stop her from persevering to live the fullest of lives in the face of tremendous challenge, and she continued to give selflessly of whatever she had. As a young woman, Lynn had vowed her dedication to serving others and said, "When my time comes to die, I don't want there to be anything left. I want it to be all used up. I want to leave the world a better place than how I found it." In her lifelong, unselfish use of her gift of service to others, she has realized her mission. Those of us who remain are the beneficiaries of her dream and legacy.
Lynn will forever be remembered as a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and for her strong faith in God, infinite elegance and grace, dedication to service and excellence, reliability, and selflessness and, not least, her unconditional love of family.
A memorial service to celebrate the life of Lynn del Forn Mack will take place on Saturday, January 21, 2023, at 3 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church, 419 S Main St, Lexington, NC 27292. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Cancer Services of Davidson County (hIps://cancerservicesofdc.org), per Lynn’s last request.
