Deepest sympathies to Pat’s family on the loss of your extraordinary and loving sister and “auntie”.  One could never have a conversation with Pat without her mentioning in some way her dear family especially her nieces and nephews.  She was surrounded by your love always.

**In Memoriam: Pat Lynch**

For me and for so many others, Pat Lynch’s friendship was the gift that kept on giving. Her joie de vivre, expansive interests, culinary agility, professional wisdom, and deep well of compassion are unrivaled—I miss her deeply. She is irreplaceable.

On Friday, July 19, we sat side by side and had a great conversation. I promised to check in with her on Sunday, July 21. When I got no answer, I called her best friend, Paula, and, like many of you, I was first surprised, then heartbroken. Pat was always full of surprises.

One notable surprise was when Pat shuttered her law practice to circumnavigate the globe aboard the Picton Castle, a square-rigged, three-masted tall ship. I never tired of hearing the hair-raising details of her 1996-97 voyage, which led to the Boston Globe storyline: “Boston Lobbyist Lost at Sea.” I found the delicious details of a near mutiny in the South Seas, orchestrated—I believe—by Patricia, utterly fascinating. For the real facts, ask her shipmates or read  “Fair Winds”  by Rigel Crockett, who wrote:

“Patricia Lynch, a Boston lobbyist, was one of the few crew not seasick. She stood beside the wheel and leaned toward the compass, squinting over pharmacy reading glasses that were obscured by salt spray. In the light of the compass, I noticed she wore mascara and lipstick; I smelled expensive perfume on the cold northwest wind.
‘A touch left,’ the captain said.
‘I can’t see a f#%ing thing,’ Patricia replied in her smoky voice, followed by her characteristic full, raspy laugh.”

No surprise that Patricia was able to command the helm. That laugh accompanied every invitation: “In the morning we will snorkel in the lagoon, after lunch swim with the turtles, have a massage on the outdoor tables, and for dinner… music, Broadway tunes, and games.” From Akumal, Tulum, the cabana, the Berkshires, Portland, and aboard a tall ship in Camden, Maine, every new adventure was characterized by spontaneity.

What I loved most about Pat was her playfulness and her ability to enjoy the moment—to look up and enjoy the star-filled sky. We could discuss anything. When I lamented that I was no longer myself in my marriage, she helped me find the best darn divorce lawyer in Boston. With discretion and confidentiality—though I now out myself—I relied on Patricia’s insight and advice for thorny personal challenges.

Patricia had a special ability to knit her friends together. We came to life for each other in her stories and her gatherings, always inclusive— from her Charlestown home to the North End.  She sparked treasured and enduring friendships – now my dearest pals.

I imagine her spirit now, embarking on yet another grand adventure, her laughter echoing through the heavens enjoying fair winds , smooth sailing,  and love.