'Her Dedication Is Unsurpassed': Fundraiser, 'IllumLYNNate' Will Light It Up For Lynn

PLAINFIELD, IL — The corner of Creekside and Prairie drives in Plainfield will be illuminated Sunday in an effort to brighten the day of a Plainfield teacher battling cancer.

A lifelong Plainfield community member and teacher of 32 years, Lynn Smith was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer in summer 2020. In recent weeks, she has struggled to properly digest food and has been in and out of the hospital, according to Eva Mores, one of Smith's close friends and neighbors.

Through it all, Smith has "never lost her sense of humor, her care and kindness for her loved ones or her devotion to her treasured students," Mores said.

A group of Smith's friends, Mores included, banded together to raise money for the Smith family. Smith and her husband, Tim, have three children: Aidan, Adam and Aryn.

Their efforts include not only starting a GoFundMe campaign, which has raised upward of $27,500 since Jan. 15, but also organizing what's meant to be an uplifting lighting of luminaries Sunday afternoon — a celebration aptly titled "IllumLYNNate Plainfield."

At 5 p.m. Sunday, community members will gather to light luminaries and follow a procession around the Smith's house, at the corner of Creekside and Prairie drives. Participants can pick up their orbs half an hour before the ceremony.

"Her dedication to all aspects of her life — her family, her friends, her students, and her community — is unsurpassed," Mores told Patch. "We hope to welcome as many people as possible to surround her home with love and light, showing her just a fraction of the light she brings into the lives of everyone she meets."

Since the luminaries being used in the event have been donated, Mores said, the money raised through the fundraiser will go entirely to the Smith family.

Locals wanting to join the effort can donate via the GoFundMe campaign or by scanning the QR code on the map, pictured below. Organizers said patrons should indicate if they'll be attending the fundraiser Sunday and how many luminaries, each $5, they would like. Those who can't attend can still donate without purchasing a luminary.

Luminary pick-up will take place at 24928 W. Prairie Drive starting at 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Participants in the event are asked to park along Illini Drive.