Lynn was born in Hanford California on July 27, 1954 to her parents Carl and Maxine Wade. She grew up as the middle child with her siblings Carla and Tom in Hanford. As with all kids who grow up in Hanford, a farming town in the middle of the San Joaquin Valley, she shared life in a close-knit community and had the privilege of consuming large quantities of Superior Dairy ice cream. She attended the local elementary schools, was a song girl at Hanford High and later attended The College of the Sequoias in Visalia. After a brief time in San Diego, she graduated from Fresno State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education/Dance. After graduation, she was selected to enroll in the Fresno City College Registered Nursing program and subsequently passed the State Boards in 1980.
She met her husband Ralph in September of 1976 during her senior year at Fresno State. They began their life long relationship in the Spring of 1977 and married on September 25, 1982. Lynn and Ralph moved to Auburn California in 1981 and she continued what became a 32-year nursing career, retiring from Auburn Faith Hospital in 2012. She was known for her nursing skills and her bright yellow Crocks.
In the early 1980’s Lynn and Ralph became curious about their spiritual need, developed an interest in the bible and later committed to a Bible study. After a few years of study, they were both baptized on October 9, 1988 as Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Together Lynn & Ralph had two children Erin Jones and Eli Echols and four grandchildren: James Jones, Ellis, Asher and Bailey Echols.
Lynn was first diagnosed with breast cancer in June of 2010 and then in June of 2011 with stage 3 ovarian cancer. The cancer was incurable, however the science of cancer treatment kept changing in front of her the entire journey including in January of 2023 when the newest targeted treatment drug was FDA approved. Lynn’s disease was advanced but her tumor type matched the new drug perfectly. She looked the cancer monster in the eye, drew her sword and jumped into battle by accepting the treatment. The monster withdrew; however, Lynn was mortally wounded in the fight and came home to die peacefully in her family’s arms on March 3, 2023.
She lived each day with a happy heart sharing her smile and laughter with all whom she met. She enjoyed people and had a knack for connecting with others in a special way. One friend remembered her this way. “Bright blue eyes, a grin, joke on her lips, welcoming heart, joyful spirit”.
A memorial for Lynn is scheduled on April 15, 2023 at 1:00 PM at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 13797 Bowman Rd, Auburn. Contact a family member if you wish to attend on Zoom.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ChapeloftheHills-Auburn.com for the Echols family.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.17