When Maria retired from Chapman, I wrote a note to her. It seems appropriate now to share a portion as a tribute to how she helped others: 
"When I served as a program coordinator, I realized how much you did to guide and support students. For example, there was the time you and I met with a senior who was feeling rather harried. You paused and encouraged the student to enjoy their last year. You spoke so eloquently and earnestly. The student saw a new option and immediately relaxed.  In that moment, I recognized how you did more in your job than just check off documents or monitor coursework--you cared about our students' well-being and how they developed and thrived as human beings.

Throughout this, you were a resource to me in many ways. You patiently explained the many procedures and regulations to me--over and over again.  I felt as if I had a partner in you." 

I am grateful to have known Maria and to remember her passion for developing caring educators, and in the midst of a very busy world, reminding us of the importance of focusing on our humanity.

Maria and I believed in our hearts that our relationship was "a God thing." We were drawn together like magnets and were supposed to be there for each other for our soul's growth. We shared the belief that relationships are for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Maria and I had the privilege of a relationship for “a season of reasons.”
  We met in Nov 2021, when Maria followed her spiritual guidance to select me as her Personal Coach through a Weight Watchers (WW) online platform; we spoke by phone and wrote to each other. Later, Maria and I migrated to holistic health / wellness / life balance sessions outside of WW, using FaceTime for most of our conversations. We spoke deeply of what was important to her, a desire for forgiveness, healing, a love of herself and a love for others through her actions and her prayers. My cat Sasha, and Maria's cat George, were often part of our screen-time.
  Maria was fiercely independent in her lifestyle (challenging to ask for help from). She was dedicated to her home routines and cherished keepsakes.  Maria was extremely devoted to her loved ones, her family and friends.  She was very proud of her connections to Chapman U. Maria was extremely grateful for the support of Joe, Teri, family and friends who helped her move to Santee. 
  Since 2023, Maria has also been a participant in my non-profit Health Wellness Community (HWC), reading our weekly email newsletter and joining our weekly virtual workshop. She was also an active participant in a 5-person accountability support group. Teammates in HWC have prayed for Maria; most of these caring souls live in NorCal.   
  During a recent call, Maria told me, "I've been cocooning. It's time for me to spread my wings and be a butterfly." I've invited Maria’s spirit to join me in community service work in recent days. I sense Maria's loving presence with me. I feel her spirit, I feel her freedom. I sense that she is in flight. 
  Maria has "Graduated" to the heavenly plane.

Maria is one of the strongest people I have had the pleasure of knowing.  Nothing kept her down. We met at Chapman University about 15 years ago. Her office was down the hall from mine. 

A friendship quickly developed. We often enjoyed having lunch together in her office or outside. I missed her when she transferred to an another Chapman campus for a brief period-and happy when she returned to Orange. 
We shared family news and “pet” adventures. Maria had a playful cat, George, that brought her great joy, and I have an adorable dog. The way she talked so lovingly about her family members made me feel that I 
knew them. 
After we both left Chapman, our friendship continued. We went to lunch frequently, attended Chapman and literary events together, and frequently talked on the phone. 
I was sad when she told me she was moving and leaving  the area, but happy she was going to be close to her family-especially her brother, Joe. 
Maria and I shared  the books we were reading and her favorite authors.  However, not only was she actively reading an actual book, but had maybe 2 or 3 on her phone at the same time. I marveled at this!  Maria’s gifts  of choice to her nieces were books!!! 
 Our phone conversations were mainly about family and friends from Chapman, but I frequently had to remind her to “start” her car because she  had to call AAA on many occasions for a battery charge. 
We laughed a lot and really enjoyed our time together. I will miss her so very much… I truly treasured our friendship.
May she rest in peace. 
Carol Roughton

I will always remember how kind and helpful Maria was to me as a new faculty member at Chapman University. She was always interested in the funny stories I would bring back from visiting school sites. As our relationship grew, we shared the books we were reading. More recently, I enjoyed our dinner meetings at Panda Express which was next door to Barnes and Noble. She holds a special place in my heart. With love, Suzi SooHoo

My dearest auntie Maria, you were always so sweet and thoughtful. Never missed a bday, Mother’s Day or just a simple card in the mail to tell us you were thinking of us. I will cherish all the memories we had together. Our time with you was cut way to soon but I will always cherish the family dinners, holidays and simple get togethers we had together. Us kids loved when you and your brother would tell us stories about you guys growing up. Thank you for always teaching our kids good habits of reading and using their imagination. I will forever hold you in my heart. Love you so much. 
Love always,
Cora

To my Auntie Maria ~ You were taken too soon! I will always hold our memories close to my heart! From your fiesty stories and arguments with your brother, to your never-surprising book gifts, you brought light to so many! Thank you for always encouraging the importance of reading! While we always knew what Auntie Maria's gifts were going to be, it really did remind myself and the girls that reading can be fun, an escape and of course educational! You'll be forever missed but never forgotten! Send our love to all the angels! You will be missed dearly! ♥️

Maria and I worked together at Chapman University. She retired a couple of years before me. Maria was an inspiration to many people. No matter how much she struggled with her health, she never gave up.  During our time working in Becket Hall while Reeves Hall was being remodeled, Maria and I often ate our lunch together. I enjoyed her stories about her cat George and her frustrations with Amazon Fresh deliveries. Maria was very knowledgeable in her field and I learned a lot from her.

Maria was a good friend and colleague at the College of Educational Studies at Chapman University in Orange, CA. She was very knowledgeable and friendly. She was a great asset to the teacher preparation program. I miss her.

OBITUARIO

Maria Michelle Lynch

1 mayo, 1961 – 27 julio, 2025

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