Lynne Edith Kennedy was born on February 2, 1927, in Valis, Quebec, Canada, to Edith Evelyn Kirkpatrick and Robert Frederick Kennedy. The only doctor to be found, who would com to the house to attend the premature birth was quite tippsy and did not give much hoe for survival. Grandmother, Mary Anne Meunier Kirkpatrick wrapped the three and one half pound infant and offered a prayer to God for her tiny life. Lynne was often reminded that God had a plan for her.

Lynne had a brother, George, just 1 1/2 years old when she was born. Her father, Robert, worked in bridge construction and suffered a tragic accident that left him hospitalized for four years before he could walk again. During that time, the children's mother became very ill and died at the age of 21 years, when Lynne was just 16-months-old. Grandmother and Grandfather Fitzpatrick brought the baby to their home, where she was surrounded by loving aunts and an uncle.

When Grandfater became ill and lost his job, the family depended on welfare to sustain them. Grandmother found clothing at the welfare warehouse, which she took apart to sew attractive clothes for Lynne to wear to the church school in Montreal. After dividing her elementary years between English and French schools, she was enrolled in Montreal High School for Girls. Her closest friend from the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Olivine Noveau, and Lynne received their tuition and uniforms from welfare service.

Grandmother wanted her granddaughter in a church school, and she felt that it wasn't good for Lynne to live with old people, so she began a diligent search to find a suitable home for Lynne. She advertised in the Canadian Union Messenger, and received some promising replies; however, Grandmother couldn't accept any offers that would take Lynne away from Montreal. "God will do better than this," she would say.

When the local pastor learned that Lynne was available, he and his wife immediately said that they wished to adopt her. Grandmother and the aunts saw Lynne twice a week and more, and Grandmother said, "I knew God would do better."

The time came for Lynne to attend academy in 1941, and Elder Leconttre made arrangements for her to go to Oshawa Missionary College (now Kingsway College). She was 14-years-old and in the tenth grade. She made lifelong firneds there during the next three years and developed a drive for more education. She began a round of teaching in French school and going to college alongside her friend, Olivine Nadeau. Later they were roommates at Atlantic Union College in South Lancaster, Massachusetts, where Lynne graduated in 1949 with a major in French and a minor in English.

Lynne came to then Washington, DC, area in 1950 and began teaching at John Nevins Andrews School in Takoma Park, Maryland. That year was a momentous one for her; she met Robert Schwindt, a student preparing for ministry at Washington Missionary College, which became Columbia Union College and is now Washington Advantist University. It was nearly love at first sight, and the couple was married on September 29, 1950. The following year their first child, Lynda Carole, was born.

The little family moved to Alamedia, California, where Robert was a pastor and Lynne taught at Modesto Union Academy. While in California, Nancy Lianne was born.

The four Schwindts came back to Washington, DC, so that Robert could study at American University, while Lynne worked in the Library of Congress in the Copyright Division. Robert became associate pastor of the Capital Memorial Church, and two sons were born during these years: Robert Nevin and John Roderic.

Robert returned to Columbia Union College as a professor of Religion, and Lynne began teaching French at Takoma Academy. In 1969, Ryan Matthew was born. Ten years later, while continuing to teach at TA, Lynne began a master's program in Counseling Psychology. She graduated two years later and earned National Board Certification.

A great tragedy occurred in February 1990, when the family's beloved historic home burned. Lynne ended her long teaching career at the end of that school year to do inventory and restock their home, while Robert rebuilt the house. Meanwhile, Lynne continued her second careed with an active counseling practice for the next twenty years.

Lynne loved her husband and her family. She completely committed her life to God and was an active church women in the congregation at Spencerville church, which she also loved. An accomplished needleworker, she shared many of the lovely items that she crafted with friends, infants in the church, and people in need. She cared about people and animals and issues, and she was an outspoken advocate.

Following a short, but devasting illness, Lynne died during the early hours of Wednesday, March 24, 2010. Although she said that hr life had been an Eden, she absolutely was certain that Jesus is coming to take His faithful loved ones to their homes in Heaven and that she will be there.

Lynne Schwindt is survived by her dearly-loved husband, Robert, their five children, their grandchildren, great-grandchildren, her brother George and sister Nadia, and scores of friends, students, clients, and colleagues. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

Lynne was scheduled to teach a communications class at Spencerville Church in April 2010. The following is from the description of that class.

Important Communication Skills for Couples

• No ABUSIVE language or behavior.
• No YOU statements: I think, I rather.
• Avoid ALWAYS and NEVER.
• No MIND reading.
• Avoid being in the past (injustice collectors).
• Keep to ONE issue.
• If time for discussion is NOT good, make an appointment.
• Never have a "discussion" on Friday evening or Sabbath morning.
• DON'T WALK AWAY