She was born on March 10, 1930 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the daughter of Janet Lynn Richardson Chapin and Chester Fisher Chapin, Sr. She grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina and Greenwich, Connecticut and received her MA in Creative Writing from Goddard College in Goddard, Vermont.
Lynn had a passion for horseback riding and was an accomplished rider. She passed on her love for horses to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and made sure that they all knew about the magical world of horses by sharing with them a favorite childhood book, “Silver Snaffles,” about a world where horses talk. Lynn’s affinity with horses extended to all animals and most especially to rescue dogs. She had a heart for the underdog, so to speak, and generously contributed to many animal causes.
Lynn was a published author and recipient of awards in creative writing. Her stories, plays, poems, and expressive illustrations integrated a wonderful and probing imagination, a whimsical sense of humor, and warm characters. After moving to Oneonta in the late 1980s, she became active in several writing groups and read her work at Bright Hill Press and other venues. Her teleplay “A Perfect Couple” was broadcast on public television as part of WSKG's Susquehanna Stories. Some of Lynn's closest friendships were developed in writers' groups. She is fondly remembered for her quick wit, candor, and political fervor.
Lynn Gunzenhauser is survived by her four daughters and their spouses, Maryam and Akiba Mermey of Manchester, ME, Karleigh and Kenneth Lem of East Haven, CT, Lisa and Marcus Manning of Hernando, MS, and Meta and Sean McDaniel of Woodinville, WA; her grandchildren, Alicia Kwon, Jason Lem, Matthew Lem, Andrew Lem, Amariah Lem, Margaret McDaniel, and Katherine McDaniel; brother-in-law Raymond Wagner of Langley, WA; sister-in-law Nina and Joseph Hart of Franklin, NY; and several great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and cousins.
She was predeceased by her husband, Robert Gerard Gunzenhauser, and her first husband, Bruce Edward Beaman, as well as her brothers, Chester Fisher Chapin and Charles Sumner Chapin.
A remembrance celebration to share food & stories about the life of Lynn Gunzenhauser will take place on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 4pm at the Community Arts Network of Oneonta (CANO), Wilber Manison, 11 Ford Avenue, Oneonta, NY.
Charitable donations reflective of Lynn’s lifelong passion for her animal kindred spirits may be sent to Glen Highland Farm Rescue at glenhighlandfarm.com, ASPCA, World Wildlife Fund or other animal rescue, non-profit organizations of your choice.
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