Lynne Hollifield

Lynne Hollifield, 63, passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 5th, 2020. She was a devoted grandmother, a loving mother, a brilliant mind, and an insuppressible spirit. She loved laughter, music, cooking, gardening, travel, and animals.

Lynne was born in Rutherfordton, North Carolina on December 24th, 1956, the first child of William and Doreen Hollifield. Christmas came early that year although she did not love sharing her birthday. She was a vivacious girl who was always admired for her unparalleled beauty, athleticism, and intelligence. She graduated from East Rutherford High School in 1975, making lifelong friends she would reconnect with many years later. She was studious, ahead of her time, and a believer in spiritually and social justice.

Lynne attended UNC Chapel Hill and graduated with high honors in 1978, majoring in Zoology. Always looking for the next mountain to conquer, with the support of her beloved grandparents Ralph and Faye Hollifield, she attended Yale University. She received a dual Ph.D. majoring in Genetics and Biology. In New Haven, she met the future father of her children, and set out on what would be her most rewarding and challenging endeavor yet, that of motherhood.

After New Haven, Lynne would first move to Philadelphia where she worked at the Wistar Institute, helping to decode the human genome. Here she had her first child, a daughter, Katherine. Shortly after she returned to Durham, North Carolina while her husband finished a medical residency. She worked in the Duke Lab, and as a Drug Representative selling laboratory equipment. In Durham, she gave birth to a son, Isaac, before relocating to Delaware.

Lynne would begin another chapter of life, starting several small businesses, obtaining a certificate in Genetic Counseling and working at Elwyn in Media, PA. She relocated to Wallingford, PA while continuing to raise her children. She spent her time writing books, categorizing genomics,  and co-authoring several research papers. After her time in Wallingford, Lynne lived between Hooper’s Island and Baltimore, Maryland. Lynne loved the Chesapeake Bay, particularly the ongoing efforts to regenerate the oyster beds. Finally, Lynne returned to Pennsylvania to be closer to her family and grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her beloved grandparents Ralph and Faye Hollifield and Ralph and Arcenia Carver, all of Caroleen, NC. She is survived by her parents Jerry and Doreen Hollifield of Forest City, NC and her brother Bill (Kay) Hollifield of Rutherfordton, NC. She is also survived by her two children, Katherine (Robert) Sand, of Springfield, PA and Isaac (Daniel) Weiner of South Hadley, MA, and one grandchild R.P. Sand.

Lynne never met a challenge she couldn’t confront. She was a world traveler, an avid reader, and an incredible intellect. Her sense of humor and creativity was exceptional; she was vibrant, wise, and strong. She loved her dog, Beau, and grandson, RP, unconditionally. She will be remembered for her beauty, humor, artistic and creative passions, and unwavering sense of her self and her place in the world.

A virtual ceremony for family and friends of Lynne will be held on Wednesday, July 15th, 2020 at 3:00pm.