Lynn L. (Worsham) Dinvald

Lynn Lee Dinvald passed away from primary biliary cholangitis on May 6th, 2023. Lynn was at home with family by her side. She was 81 years old. Lynn was born on November 14, 1941 in LaPorte, Indiana, the daughter of Elmer and Evelyn (Sandberg) Worsham. She was a 1959 graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School and received her Associate in Arts degree, with honors, from Kalamazoo Valley Community College in 1992. On October 24, 1959, Lynn was united in marriage to her loving husband, Valfrid E. Dinvald, and their love was for eternity. They truly acted as one and loved life. Val proceeded her in death on July 27, 2021. She was also preceded in death by an infant son, Phillip Eduard. Lynn is survived by her children, Katharine (Mark) Patterson, Michael (Elizabeth) Dinvald; grandchildren, Ryan (Jenny) Patterson, Lorah (Nicholas) Seltzer, Steffane (Joshua) Hogg; great-grandchildren, Rylie, Weston, Sagan, Auston, Aria; siblings, Barbara Wynn, Kenneth (Ardith) Worsham, Mary (Gary) Law; and several nieces and nephews.

Lynn was a homemaker when her children were young and, in 1996, celebrated 20 years of employment with the Upjohn Animal Health Business where she was a member of the Biostatistics team. She enjoyed projects and received a Special Recognition Award for contributions to European Somavubove field studies conducted in France. After a day of work, Lynn and Val would walk their property and admire their gardens and landscaping.

After retirement, Lynn joined the Kalamazoo Garden Club in 1999 and then the Landscapers Garden Club in 2001. She obtained her certification as a Master Gardener in 2001 and became what is known as a “5 Star” Consultant. She was also a member of the Lakeshore Flower Arrangers Guild and had been serving as treasurer until recently.

Lynn was very active in the Kalamazoo Garden Council over the years and served as one of the first Council Presidents from 2002-2003. Lynn was Michigan Garden Club (MGC) President from 2009-2011 and was blessed to work with MGC members throughout the state. Val was her right-hand man and traveled with Lynn everywhere. He helped both as webmaster and to sell the MGC’s first “spirit wear,” which was logo wear for members to purchase in support of the Loda Lake Wildflower Sanctuary, the only wildflower sanctuary in the National Forest system.

Lynn was also an agent between Michigan Garden Clubs and Western Michigan University. She helped identify students excelling in the fields of botany, biology, environmental studies, or related disciplines who might qualify for the Hazel Wirick Scholarship, an annual scholarship underwritten by Kalamazoo Garden Council, Inc. in memory of founder and past president Hazel Wirick, and awarded by Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc. Lynn was also a flower show judge and loved making floral arrangements. Her collection of floral design elements will be donated to start a lending library for new members to utilize at the Council House.

There aren’t enough words to express what a caring, giving soul Lynn was to her family and friends, of whom there are many. She was often accurately described as a ray of sunshine. She will be so greatly missed.

Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 25 at 11:00 am at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, 3926 South 9th Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49009. A light reception and time of remembrance will follow the service from 12:00 to 2:00 pm in the Langeland Family Center. Private interment will be in Mt. Ever-Rest Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial donations can be directed to the Loda Lake Wildflower Sanctuary and will be matched 100% by the Fremont Area Community Foundation, 4424 W. 48th Street, Fremont, MI 49412, if the donation is noted "in memory of Lynn Dinvald for the MGC Loda Lake Fund."

OR:
Donations in memory of Lynn Dinvald for the Michigan Garden Clubs Scholarship Fund can be directed to Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc., c/o Suzanne Budrow, 9142 Hobbitt Circle, Kalamazoo MI 49009-8413. To view Lynn’s personalized webpage please visit https://www.langelands.com