Dorothy "Dee" (Evans) Lyne

Dorothy Evans Lyne, nee Evans, "Dee", age 85, Elmhurst, IL, Passed January 28, 2024

Dorothy "Dee" Evans Lyne, a longtime resident of Michigan, passed away at age 85 with loving family by her side. Dee was a force in life. She grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, the proud older sister of the late John and Jim Evans. Determined, independent and whip-smart, after graduating high school Dee packed up her crate and left Ohio to attend Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. She went on to earn a scholarship and a degree in nursing. While there, she cared for newborn children and mothers in the inner city of Baltimore, while also forming lifelong bonds with friends. While at Hopkins she met the love of her life, Everett Dennis "Denny" Lyne. The two were smitten from Baltimore days until Denny's passing in 2018.

Dee and Denny shared a commitment to the advancement of medicine and patient care. Throughout her life, she advocated for those who could not advocate for themselves. Their marriage took them from Baltimore (Bethesda) to Boston (Marblehead), then Chicago (Evanston) and then on to Michigan – first residing in Franklin, and ultimately in Hickory Corners on Gull Lake. All the way, they committed their lives to raising their three children and helping others near and far.

Outside of her work and family, Dee loved art, volunteering as a docent; and spending time with animals – most notably horses. Her bond and love for riding kept her young far into her senior years. And Dee was a truth sayer in the purest form. She spoke the words she meant and conveyed her thoughts with grace and honesty. You always knew where you stood with her.

No challenge too great, and with a fearless mindset, she tackled every obstacle in her path, and created every opportunity in front of her to learn, explore, and give back to her community. She was brave and fun and always up for something new. Indeed, on her 80th birthday, she took a helicopter ride around downtown Chicago with her son and family. She even once inadvertently skied a downhill racecourse during the Olympics, wearing cross-country skis, with almost zero prior skiing experience. She was determined, to say the least.

Dee is predeceased by her beloved husband the late Dr. Everett Dennis "Denny" Lyne, and her brothers John and Jim Evans; and survived by her children Deirdre Churchill (George), Daniel Lyne (Kristin) Paisley Knudsen (Larry), and her grandchildren Maeve, Henry and Dennis.

Friends and family will meet for a Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 134 Arthur Street, Elmhurst. Interment Private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Dorothy Evans Lyne Fund: c/o Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, 525 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205. Live stream of funeral Mass available through funeral home website.

Gibbons Funeral Home, Elmhurst, IL