Janet Patricia Lynch

Janet Patricia Lynch, 60, passed away peacefully in her home on October 30, 2024. Born in El Paso, Texas, Janet attended schools in the Ysleta Independent School District, graduating in the first class of Hanks High School. She earned her Music Education degree from East Texas State University, and her Master’s in Flute Performance from the University of Texas at El Paso, where she was the first to graduate as the University Banner Bearer.

Janet was truly an amazing educator that shaped so many young musicians’ lives and music teachers in her profession. She spent 28 years in the classroom teaching High School and Middle School Band, and her last five years in education were serving the SISD Fine Arts Department as the Instrumental Music Specialist.

Through her years of service, Janet received many awards and accomplishments, distinguishing her as one of the finest educators in the Texas region. She was named “Teacher of the Year” and was a district finalist/runner-up for the Socorro Independent School District in 2007. Her Concert Bands earned numerous accolades at district and University Interscholastic League contests and her Jazz Bands earned numerous first division awards to include top three placements in the Hanks Jazz and NMSU Jazz Festivals. Her students also received over 2000 First Division Medals at numerous Solo and Ensemble Competitions over her career; a tribute to the high standards that she expected of her students and in turn, their desire to be the very best they could be. She also served as the guest clinician for the All-Region Middle School Jazz Band and was also an adjudicator in the El Paso/ Las Cruces area and across the state of Texas.

In her personal life, Janet was involved with many musical groups and organizations. She had performed with the El Paso Opera Orchestra, Edge of Texas Concert Band, UTEP Dinner Theatre, El Paso Symphony Orchestra, El Paso Wind Symphony, and her own jazz combo she started with her spouse Marisa of 33 years called “Incognito.” Janet was a former member of the Texas Music Educators Association and was currently a member of the Women’s Club of El Paso. Janet retired in 2021 to pursue her enjoyment of making her own music again, playing golf, and enjoying life. She cultivated a standard of excellence unlike any other and taught young musicians the skills needed to become successful in school and in life. In the end, Janet was a warrior fighting cancer. She never gave up and was such a strong, resilient, soul throughout this journey. She also had that deep commitment to excellence and caring that will live as an example to all, for many years to come; her light will shine on everyone she touched!

Janet is survived by her wife of 33 years, Marisa L Hernandez of El Paso, Texas. She is also survived by her sister Susan Sims, and husband Bobby, of Birmingham, Alabama, sister Mary Brinkley and husband Jim, of Chandler, Arizona, brother John Lynch and wife Suzanne of El Paso, Texas, niece Holly Goodwin of Birmingham, Alabama, niece Marcy Brinkley-Gregor of Chandler, Arizona, nephew Rob Sims of Boston, Massachusetts, nephew Jamey Brinkley of Peoria, Arizona, and nephew Brian Brinkley of Gilbert, Arizona. We will celebrate Janet’s beautiful life at The Women’s Club of El Paso on Sunday, December 15, from 2-4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you please donate to the American Cancer Society.