— with Lynn and Linda Rice Thorup

— with Lynn Simek

— with Lynn Simek

— with Lynn Simek

— with Lynn Simek

Lynn and her new baby daughters

Mike Novak, former student of Lynn's:

I was a student in Lynn’s [“Miss Cronin’s”] very first class. She was a senior at St. Rose College doing her student teaching to our sophomore English boys’ class at Vincentian Institute (1961-62) in Albany, NY.    VI (Vee-Eye) was an academically rigorous Catholic high school where the boys and girls were separated – the girls and their virtue were guarded by nuns on the third floor, and the boys were confined to the nether regions of the first and second floor and kept in check by the fists and paddles of the Brothers of the Holy Cross. (Yes, it was a different generation.) After a year of the Brothers whipping us into shape, we sophomores were delighted to see this petit young thing stride into our English class and purport to teach us English. Even though we were sitting down, she was still almost at eye level. We gave her a hard time for a little while, but her friend, Brother George, who had been an athlete and a bar tender before becoming a Brother, came in to our class one day before she arrived and he threatened us with severe bodily harm. Lynn not only had no more trouble, she quickly won us over with her intelligence, humor, and good sportsmanship. Those of us who had been previously taught by nuns were not used to a female teacher who actually liked boys. Her enthusiasm and vivaciousness were contagious. And, she knew her stuff. The academic year with her was terrific. I still have a paper I wrote on “The Red Badge of Courage,” on which she gave me an “A” and wrote in her flourishing handwriting a comment challenging me to “continue this level of work in the classroom.” I did. For several reasons including Lynn’s influence, that Sophomore year at VI turned my life around from being an unruly student to a serious student. I will never forget it and always be grateful for the experience. We became good friends from then on. I was one of several students invited to her first wedding. Over the years, I have visited her in Johnstown, Gloversville, Albany, Greensboro, and Vermont. In the early years of our friendship, we used to exchange letters when people still did such things, and later, we did phone calls and emails. She was a person I never lost contact with. A good friend brings out the best in us and she was like a good spirit in that regard. She was stimulating, inspiring, and loyal. I thank God she was in my life and I will never forget her.

Fresh out of college, Lynn got a job teaching at Estee Junior High School in Gloversville, NY. The principal’s name was Phillip Abbott. But behind his back, the kids – and some of the teachers – called him “Mr. Rabbit.”

Lynn thought that was his name.

As a young teacher and eager to please, she addressed him respectfully as “Mr. Rabbit.”

“Good Morning, Mr. Rabbit.” “Mr. Rabbit, can I talk to you for a minute?” “Have a good evening, Mr. Rabbit. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Near the end of the first semester, the principal pulled her aside. He gave her a little smile.

“Lynn,” he said quietly. “My name is Abbott. Not rabbit.”

Lynn was 5 years old. She loved to read. Her mother took her to Johnstown Public Library. As the Librarian showed them rooms filled floor-to-ceiling with shelves of books, Lynn burst into tears.

“Oh, honey,” said the Librarian. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”

“There’s SO many books!” said Lynn. “I’ll never be able to read them all.”

You were my Latin teacher in high school. One of the sweetest women in the world from day one. You loved on all of us, pushed us to be our best selves, called us cute nicknames like Telulah, and we loved you for it. Imagine my surprise when I got that inbox message that you wanted to tutor my then 15yr old daughter pro Bono to ensure that she aced her SAT. You told me you were proud of the woman I'd become and I cried like a baby. To say my heart was full doesn't do the act justice. Most teachers claim to love their students and/or their families but you were willing to bless us and invest in the future of a child you hadn't met yet. Classic Lynn!!! You loved her because you loved me and I learned it that day. You guys worked together weekly until you were no longer able. She still has the materials you sent, she put them to great use. She is now a criminal justice major at High Point University, one of the most prestigious Universities in the Country. THANK YOU! She got those scholarships you wanted for her. THANK YOU!! I am sad typing this because I really wish you were here to see this. Here to get well deserved flowers. We love you! We are grateful for you!!! Sleep in peace, you deserve eternal peace. Lord knows you are missed. 

Mrs. Geer was such a inspiration to me, that it’s hard to put into words. She made me enjoy high school for the first time. She’s the reason I went to college. Her stories helped me through some dark points in my life. 

I love hearing about how many other lives she touched, how many people remember her years after she was their teacher. You are loved and missed greatly, Mrs. Geer!