OBITUARY
March 16, 1942 – January 5, 2025
Lynn Volckhausen Edinoff, born in White Plains, New York, on March 16, 1942, passed away surrounded by the love of her family and friends. She was a beloved wife, aunt, cousin, mentor, and friend to many, remembered for her boundless energy, compassionate heart, and intellectual curiosity.
Lynn graduated from Friends’ Central School in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, before attending Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, where she had the honor of hearing Martin Luther King Jr. deliver the commencement address. She pursued graduate studies in social work at the University of Chicago and earned her Master of Social Work from Loyola University.
Lynn’s career began at The Cradle adoption agency, and she later transitioned to leadership roles in hospital social work. She and her husband, Stuart, moved from Des Plaines, Illinois, to Florida in the 1970s, where Lynn served as head of four different hospital social work departments. She mentored close to 90 graduate students over her distinguished career, a contribution she was particularly proud of.
Florida became their cherished home, where they cultivated a rich life filled with close friendships. Early on, Lynn served on the Board of Directors at Gilda’s Club Fort Lauderdale, the first club established after the original in New York City.
Lynn adored reading and discussing Proust, delighted in attending the ballet, and had a passion for foreign travel, exploring many countries over the years. She was an avid painter and enjoyed singing in various choirs throughout her life. Lynn also played ukulele from childhood. In retirement, she became a certified yoga instructor and a museum docent at the Fort Lauderdale Art Museum.
Described as “a force of nature” by her friends, Lynn was deeply committed to volunteerism. She read weekly to a blind friend, mentored troubled youth, provided free therapy to survivors of domestic abuse, and taught yoga to incarcerated individuals. Her tireless dedication to helping others left an indelible mark on countless lives.
Lynn is survived by her devoted husband, Stuart Edinoff; her niece, Ellie Volckhausen; her nephews, Aron and Ira Schnell; and her cousins, Cort, Decker, and Holly Smith. She will be profoundly missed by all who knew her.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Lynn’s memory can be made to
The Nature Conservancy https://preserve.nature.org
