Jacqueline “Jacque” Gloria Harkins Lynch, 75, passed away peacefully on December 12, 2024, surrounded by her devoted family.
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to John Steven Harkins and Gloria Elizabeth Watson Harkins, Jacque lived a vibrant life rooted in love, family, and travel.
Jacque’s childhood was one of exploration. She lived in four different states before her family’s two-year stay in Rome, Italy—a formative experience that ignited her lifelong love of travel and culture. After graduating from Acton-Boxborough Regional High School in 1967, Jacque moved to Seattle to attend Seattle University, where she met the love of her life, Jim Lynch. The couple married on September 6, 1969, in Nanuet, New York, embarking on a beautiful partnership of 55 years.
Following Jim’s career, Jacque and her family settled in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and, ultimately, Atlanta, Georgia, where they lived for 37 years.
While raising her family in Atlanta, Jacque pursued her academic dreams, graduating cum laude from Georgia State University in 1995. She then dedicated five years to serving the Department of Children and Family Services, where she made a meaningful impact on the lives of at-risk youth.
In 2016, Jacque and Jim moved to Greensboro, Georgia, to fulfill their retirement dreams of living by the water.
Through every chapter of her life, Jacque’s greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her loving husband, Jim; her children, Kristin Lynch Smith (Parker) and Sean Patrick Lynch (Lauren); and her six cherished grandchildren: Walker, Tillman, and Calder Smith, and Keira, Ryan, and Maeve Lynch.
Jacque is also survived by her three brothers, Robert, Gerald, and Steven Harkins, as well as her extended family, including six sisters- and brothers-in-law, and her beloved Maltese, Coco Chanel, who brought her endless joy.
Jacque was passionate about travel, embracing the beauty and history of destinations worldwide. Her favorite places included Florence and Lake Como, Italy; Kerry and Dingle, Ireland; and Playa del Carmen, Mexico. As theatre lovers, Jacque and Jim were regular attendants at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta and Broadway shows in New York. Jacque was also an excellent cook and lover of restaurants; her Sunday night suppers were legendary in the family.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate doctors and nurses at Good Samaritan Hospital in Greensboro and St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens for Jacque's exceptional care in her final days.
The funeral service will be Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 11 a.m., at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 2855 Briarcliff Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30329. A reception for family and friends will immediately follow the service. Instead of flowers, the family kindly requests memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society (donate.cancer.org) in memory of Jacqueline Lynch.
Jacque will be deeply missed but forever celebrated.
The arrangements were handled by McCommons Funeral Home, 109 W. Broad St., Greensboro, GA, (706) 453-2626. To sign up for the online guest register, visit www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com.