Julie M. Lynch

Julie M. Lynch, 64, of North Andover, formerly of Salem, died peacefully March 5 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers following a courageous battle with a long-time, chronic illness.

Born in Salem, MA, she was the daughter of the late James and June (Pope) Lynch. A resident of Salem for most of her life, Julie was a graduate of St. Joseph High School in Salem, Class of  1974, and a graduate of the Salem Hospital School of Nursing, Class of 1977.

As a registered nurse, Julie began her career as a pediatric nurse and later as a visiting nurse on the North Shore. She accepted a position with the US Postal Service in 1986, initially working in the Lynn facility. A year later, she transferred to the USPS Fort Point Station in Boston where she worked as an occupational health nurse, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) counselor and later as director of the EAP program. After the EAP was outsourced, she worked as a supervisor of customer service and sales until 2006 when she retired. She was a certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP), a Licensed Rehabilitation Counselor (LRC) through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and a registered nurse in the states of Massachusetts and Nevada.

Following her retirement, she moved to Henderson, NV, in 2007 to escape the cold New England winters. She made numerous new friends there and stayed close to them even after she returned to her home state in 2012 for medical care.

During her free time, she enjoyed traveling and playing the piano and organ. Over the years, she traveled to many locations in the United States and overseas, with her farthest locations being Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. During her last trip  - to the west coast - she was particularly proud of joining a street singer in San Francisco in a rendition of “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”

Despite her petite size, Julie was an amazingly strong woman with a deep faith and a sharp wit.  Prior to 2021, which was an extremely challenging year for her health, she was a volunteer for Care Dimensions and the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers where she would perform reiki and other tasks, even as she was battling her own pain and sickness. When she visited a Care Dimensions patient at the CareOne Nursing Home in Wilmington, she would play the piano, sing, and entertain in the community room for all.

Her courage, fortitude and sense of humor was an inspiration to many and a reminder to us all to embrace each day and to fight for what is important and meaningful. In the halls of AA, she was given the gift of recovery. She honored this gift with service and humility, showing others how to get well.  Julie transformed her life and reached out to others to help them do the same – one day at a time. She knew she was able to rise so that she could help others rise.

Julie is survived by a sister, Marianne Linehan of E. Hampstead, NH; a brother and sister-in-law, James and Robin (Perry) Lynch of Effingham, NH; 3 nephews and a niece and their respectives spouses – Brian and Erin (Dollen) Linehan of Plaistow, NH; James and Alaina (Andrews) Lynch of Rowley; Tom and Carolyn (Brancato)  Lynch, also of Rowley; and Perry (Lynch) and Keith Lara of Kerrville, TX. She is also survived by several great- nephews and  nieces – Ronan and Nolan Linehan, Dylan Durkee, Noah, Ben, Grace and Ruby Lynch, and Hannah Lara, as well as numerous cousins. She was predeceased by a nephew, David Linehan.

Visiting hours will be held at the Mackey Funeral Home,  A funeral Mass will be celebrated in the chapel at the Monastery of St. Therese, 15 Mount Carmel Rd., Danvers.

In lieu of flowers, Julie has asked that donations be made to Boston Central Service (AA), 23 Channel St., #604, Boston, MA 02210; Discalced Carmelite Nuns, 15 Mount Carmel Rd, Danvers, MA 01923; Amedysis Hospice,8 Commerce Drive, Suite 101, Bedford, NH03110; or The Kaplan Family Hospice House, 78 Liberty St., Danvers, MA 01923.

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