Beloved Late Centennial School Director Loved Her Pets

WARMINSTER TOWNSHIP, PA — Conversations with the late Centennial School Director Jane Lynch were always interesting.

In talking about issues impacting the school community, there was often a whole lot of chirping going on, and it wasn't always coming from the feisty Lynch, who died on Saturday at Penn Medicine Hospital in Doylestown at the age of 88.

That was Ben the Bird, Lynch would say.

The beloved school board member was also a loving pet owner. Lynch said she took care of her "zoo," which included Ben the Bird, Zellie the Dog, and Jack the Cat, according to her obituary.

Lynch was also a snowbird, traveling to Florida and Ocean City, N.J., during the winter.

Lynch was born on Christmas Day — Dec. 25, 1937 — to Richard Schrader and Kathryn (nee Downey) in Collingswood, N.J.

She was a dedicated member of the Centennial school board for more than 18 years, in which she served twice as school board president.

Other noted services that Lynch was involved in were acting chairperson of the education committee for eight years, first elected female Warminster Township supervisor in 1982, first woman supervisor chairwoman in 1983, served 18 years on the Warminster park and recreation board, served 19 years on the Warminster Zoning Board, served two years on the Warminster Library board and Warminster Heights Redevelopment Board and four years on the Warminster Township Planning Development Committee, the Ben Wilson Senior Center Advisor and the Bucks County Area & Aging Board.

Lynch attended Germantown High School, Temple University, and Saint Joseph’s College in Philadelphia. She was also the Clerk of Courts in Bucks County.

Lynch was married to James R Lynch for 65 years. They had three sons, James "Jay" R. Lynch Jr. (Denise), Andrew, and Matthew (Nanette). Her grandchildren included Veronica, Tyler, Gavin, Rylee, Dale and Nancy Menzak, and great-granddaughters Claire and Savannah Menzak.

Jane was preceded in death by her husband Jim, son Andrew, and daughter-in-law Nanette.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her visitation on Wednesday, Jan. 14, from 9 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at Nativity of Our Lord Church, 605 W. Street Road, Warminster, followed by her Mass at 11:30 a.m.

Interment will be private in Washington Crossing National Cemetery.