Lynne Wadlinger Stryker moved forward October 25, 2024, one day past her 61st birthday. As a passionate gardener and seeker of ancient forests, Lynne was recognized for her appreciation of the beauty of the natural world. As a kitchen and bath designer, she had a gift for making dysfunctional domestic spaces into handsome and useful places.
She was known as a devoted and caring friend. She mentored young women within and outside of the interior design trade, encouraging them to stand tall in their accomplishments, to ask for what they were worth and to call out aberrant behaviors when they happened. She reflexively supported and advocated for marginalized people.
Lynne earned bachelor degrees from Penn State and the University of Minnesota. The latter degree, in interior design, was a lifelong passion. She served as President of the Minnesota National Kitchen and Bath Association and her completed design projects were featured in regional and national magazines. She moved her practice to Port Townsend in 2016 where she had intuited things would slow down, but she found herself as in-demand as ever.
Lynne was an active member of AAUW Port Townsend and participated in the coordination of the kitchen and home tour before health issues intervened. She also organized a book group and participated in the garden club.
Lynne loved living here. The death of her dear friend Chris at age 50 caused her to rethink where she wanted to live the rest of her life and why. That inspiration brought her to Port Townsend. It was a decision that filled the past eight years with beauty and happiness.
Lynne received expert and thoughtful care from the oncology department staff at Jefferson Healthcare. She had received treatment at two world-renowned cancer centers and stated very plainly that the care here was on par professionally with those facilities and superior from a compassion perspective.
A memorial gathering is envisioned for the Spring. Donations as remembrances may be sent to her favorite causes: the Jefferson Land Trust, Dove House and the Humane Society.
