DIKE - Mary Virginia Lynch, 73, of Dike, died Oct. 25 at Grundy County Memorial Hospital, Grundy Center, after a hard fight with carcinoid cancer.

Mary was born March 26, 1935, in Emmett, Idaho, to Rosebud and Eunice (Thomas) Joy. Her father was a rancher, her mother a school teacher; she had six brothers and sisters.

Mary attended many schools throughout her elementary and high school years, graduating from high school at the Iowa State Teachers College, Cedar Falls (now UNI). She worked at Rath Packing Co. in the office and was a waitress at the Log Cabin Restaurant in Cedar Falls.

She married Roger Lynch on July 24, 1954, making their home in Dike; they later divorced.

She ran a day care in her home, worked at Dintys cafe in Dike and was a cook for the Dike school. Mary sang in the choir and was a Sunday school teacher at the Dike Methodist Church in her early years there. She played the piano where she attended Church in Dilley, Texas.

She graduated from UNI in 1973 with a double major in social work and early childhood education. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree, she taught Head Start in Waterloo, was a social worker in Albia and a nanny in Dallas, before settling in Dilley to teach. In Dilley she expanded greatly the small school library there with the hundreds of books she donated. She created a magnificent snow room for the children so they could see and feel what a Midwest winter was like. The school and friends there have said she left behind a legacy of learning and had a special and unique way of teaching.

Retiring in 2007, she moved back to her home in Dike.

Her aspiration was to volunteer in the Peace Corps even though the principal at the school where she taught told her "this was the Peace Corps and they needed her there."

Mary always had a love of reading, politics, music, playing her guitar and piano. She cared for many of her nieces and nephews in their younger years and had a special bond with them.

She may have been small town but never small minded, marching in the '60s and '70s and speaking out for Civil Rights, believing in equality for all; never afraid to stand up for what was right and just. Mary was not a materialistic person in the least, she felt your riches came from knowledge and with helping others.

She loved and was devoted to her children and grandchildren and they to her.

Mary Lynch is survived by her three children, Debra Toben of Des Moines, Dianna (Roy) Helmers of Reinbeck and Todd Lynch Hastings, Minn.; six grandchildren, Dylan Toben of Grimes, Clinton Toben of Des Moines, Jeremy (Jessica) Eilers of Reinbeck, Alexa Krull of Los Angeles and Jamaica, and Samantha Lynch of Hastings; one great-grandchild, Drew Eilers of Reinbeck; three sisters, Sarella Joy of Washington and Ida Hayes and Rita Garvey, both of Arkansas; two brothers, Harvey (Shirley) Joy of Texas and Byron Joy of California; her half brothers and sisters; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Tommy Joy; and her nieces, Roxanne Joy and Vanessa Joy.

Mary Lynch was cremated and her ashes will be spread in Emmett, Idaho. There was a private family memorial service. She is now "Over the Rainbow" reading, teaching, playing the guitar, piano and singing to all the children who have left their families far too soon.

Condolences may be sent to 20744 W Ave., Reinbeck, IA 50669.

Memorial contributions will be used to purchase and donate books in her name for the school library in Dilley. Online condolences may be sent to Lynch20744@aol.com.