Tom & I loved putting this together to honor Lynn! Lynn, we feel you smiling on us from where you are. Your Hermes scarf is in the background behind me, and I think of you each time I see it.
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The care and enthusiasm with which Lynn taught and invigorated the Latin language and its history cannot be overstated.
I studied Latin in high school with Mrs. Geer from 1996 - 1999. I remained enthralled by the ancient world, although pursuing a degree and beginning as a musician. Later in my 20s, I returned to Latin but, this time to become a teacher.
Although I had earned a music degree, I did not want to be a music teacher in the traditional school setting. But, I wanted to pursue education therefore I returned to a comfortable, easy place: Latin, as made so by Lynn's grace and intense intellectual propensities.
Lynn showed me how to remain fascinated and studious and I knew I could sustain this spirit over a long period of time because of her guidance.
When I began my Latin teaching career in Atlanta in 2012, I had not yet seen Lynn since graduating from Western Guilford high school in 1999. I bounced around districts in the metro area, as many teachers do, until landing at an oasis of freedom and authenticity in teaching and learning at The Galloway School in 2022. She knew I had landed in a very special and nurturing place: a place where my fascination for Classics could roam free and soar to the heights that she would have envisioned for me and my students. She was so excited, she insisted that I come to visit her in Vermont. That was one of the most meaningful trips of my life. Each time a student in my Latin classes asks big questions about the ancient world with a zealous spirit or surprised themselves with their new found ability to translate Latin texts, I think of Lynn and I know she is there with us in Latin class. gratias maximas, optima magistra.
-Carla Rascoe, Lynn's forever student
Upper Learning Latin Teacher
Galloway School
Atlanta, Georgia
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In 1983, I drove from Albany with my wife and two young daughters to visit Lynn in Gloversville (I think). This was very soon after Mari had died. Lynn was dealing with the devastation of loss and her conversation was heartbreaking. But she still managed to make us feel welcome. She made every person she came in contact with feel special. She was perceptive too. She noticed that my 9-year-old daughter, Teresa, took a liking to a stuffed animal, Babar the Elephant. (I used to read the Babar books to her.) Lynn asked Teresa if she would like it and gave it to her. Teresa was overjoyed. Lynn told us it had been Mari’s and she wanted Teresa to have it. Teresa, who is now 51, recently told me that she still has it and sent me this picture.
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In 1983, I drove from Albany with my wife and two young daughters to visit Lynn in Gloversville (I think). This was very soon after Mari had died. Lynn was dealing with the devastation of loss and her conversation was heartbreaking. But she still managed to make us feel welcome. She made every person she came in contact with feel special. She was perceptive too. She noticed that my 9-year-old daughter, Teresa, took a liking to a stuffed animal, Babar the Elephant. (I used to read the Babar books to her.) Lynn asked Teresa if she would like it and gave it to her. Teresa was overjoyed. Lynn told us it had been Mari’s and she wanted Teresa to have it. Teresa, who is now 51, recently told me that she still has it and sent me this picture.
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2018, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
In 2018, Lynn and Tom came out to see me perform an Indian Classical Music concert at UNC-G. She was wearing a gorgeous Hermes scarf and was radiating joy. She was so happy for me, so very supportive that I was coming back to Greensboro to perform, after 18 years of studying the instrument in India and California. When I was her Latin student at Western Guilford High School from 1990-1994, she helped me hear and nurture my inner creative voice. We watched Cinema Paradiso in Latin class, and my life shifted. She was always a champion of creativity, risk-taking, and searching for true love. She would always reference the Aeneid in our conversations...she helped me understand the journey I was on. There was always an epic and spiritual undertone to our connection. Love you so much Lynn!
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Mrs. Geer was the ultimate mentor and coach. She cheered her students on with vigor and uninhibited enthusiasm, but she also steered us and course-corrected with a firm hand. She was fun, silly, and at times intimidating. I will never forget her love of football, food, Vermont, and Tom. I treasure the lessons in Latin and in life that she taught me. She left a beautiful legacy in her students and friends and it was a privilege to be one of them.
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I met Lynn in 1972 when we were both teachers at Saint Agnes school, she in Latin and me in Ancient History. We became fast friends and collaborators, making two films together on Greek mythology acted out by our students. I cherish the memories of our working together;
Lynn was one of the most imaginative, creative, generous, funny and luminous souls that I have ever met. I feel so fortunate to have known her and I mourn her loss today with all of you- there will never be another Lynn.
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Lynn was shopping at the supermarket. She was in the produce section.
A teenage girl came down the aisle with a melon in her hand and walked up to Lynn.
“Excuse me, ma’am,” she says. “How can I tell if this melon is ripe?”
Lynn showed her how to push gently on the butt of the melon and take a sniff. If you got a good, melon smell, it was ripe. The girl thanked her and left happy with her ripe melon.
Lynn said:
“I don’t know what it is that I’ve got. Teenagers love me. Of all the people she could’ve asked ...” Lynn looked around at several people selecting fruits, putting vegetables into their shopping carts. “Why did she ask me?”
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One of Lynn’s students was having difficulties in class. She called the father and said that she needed to see him so they could talk about his son. He was an Important Person and a Busy Man, but she made him make time in his schedule to come to school. The meeting went well, and the issues were addressed. At the end they shook hands.
“You know, Ms. Simek, my son is terrified of you. And after talking to you on the phone,” he said. “I thought you would be much bigger.”
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1975, St. Agnes School, Albany, NY
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1975, St Agnes School, Albany, NY
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1974, St. Agnes School, Albany, NY
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