On her 37th wedding anniversary with the love of her life, Lyn (Evelyn) Baum Strong entered the hospital near their beloved home in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Two weeks later, at her request, she returned home to begin hospice care, surrounded by her devoted husband, six sons, daughter, and daughter-in-law. After several cherished outings to admire the water in her backyard — and even a 1950s dance party with her children in her room — Lyn passed away peacefully on the evening of July 11, 2025, with her husband and children by her side.

Born in Buffalo, New York, to Emma Hazel Lilley and Harry Elmer Baum, Lyn graduated from nursing school in 1978 and found a calling in psychiatric nursing, dedicating her career to caring for some of the most vulnerable members of society. Widowed in her 20s and divorced in her 40s, she met John, a Delta Air Lines captain, when he moved into a townhome near hers in Stone Mountain, Georgia. They married in 1988, later building a house and hangar in a fly-in community near Griffin, Georgia. There, Lyn began taking classes in drawing, watercolor, and oil painting — passions that would shape the next chapter of her life.

Together, she and John enjoyed traveling in their single-engine Cessna, embracing what Lyn described as a “fun and different lifestyle for us.” Their adventures extended beyond the skies as they visited destinations including New Zealand, Great Britain, Germany, Denmark, Hawaii, and Alaska.

In 1995, the couple settled in the peaceful town of New Smyrna Beach, where Lyn became active in the Artists’ Workshop, managing publicity for the local and Daytona newspapers. Over the years, she earned awards in numerous art contests across Florida and found great joy in her close-knit “Bookies” book club.

After John’s retirement from Delta just one month after 9/11, the couple continued to enjoy life in the warm, tropical climate they loved. They also maintained a home in Peachtree City, Georgia, close to their children and grandchildren, where many treasured holiday and birthday gatherings took place.

Lyn is survived by her husband, John; her children, John Brown, Gary Brown, Thom Brown, Matt (Linda) Brown, Steve (Roxane) Mondibrown, Tracey (Cliff) Rogers, and Christopher Brown; her stepchildren, Brian (Debbie) Strong and Kristine (Ron) Ciarimboli; 15 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and her sister, Louise Burns.

While Lyn never showed favoritism among her children, her youngest son, Chris, insists he was the most adored — citing his good looks, sharp wit, and “all-around coolness.” His siblings unanimously and emphatically dispute every aspect of these claims, especially the one about his looks. 

A beachside memorial service for Lyn’s family and friends will be held on what would have been her 88th birthday, Saturday, August 2, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., at Canaveral National Seashore, Parking Lot 1 (7611 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach; parking fees apply). Lyn and John’s beloved family friend, Father Jim Spencer, will officiate. Her son Chris may or may not be invited 😀.

Lyn once wrote: “I’ve had a wonderful life in spite of one or two cross currents. Especially with that tall, good-looking, blue-eyed blonde — oh, gray now — man who has given me more than I ever deserved. But I took it anyway.”

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the ICU nurses at AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach for their exceptional care, and to the compassionate nurses of Halifax Health Hospice for helping guide Lyn and her loved ones through her final days.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lyn’s honor to the Healing Bridge Clinic in Peachtree City, Georgia, which provides free medical care to underserved individuals: www.healingbridgeclinic.org/d…

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