The community of Northwood, IA, mourns the loss of Lynne A. Scott, a remarkable woman whose life was filled with love, adventure, and resilience. Lynne passed away peacefully on Friday, February 21, 2025, at the age of 87, surrounded by her family at the Lutheran Retirement Home. Her story is one of strength, perseverance, and unwavering spirit that touched the lives of many.
A Life of Love and Adventure
Lynne Alphonsine Scott was born on October 13, 1937, in Troyes, France, to Ben Ali Ben El Hezil Rahal and Marie (Royer) Rahal. Growing up in France during World War II, Lynne’s early years were marked by hardship and uncertainty. However, she emerged as a beacon of hope and resilience, embodying the spirit of endurance that would define her life.
Lynne’s journey took a fortuitous turn when she met a young U.S. Soldier named John Edward Scott while working as a stenographer and telephone operator in Orleans, France. Their love story blossomed, culminating in marriage on July 25, 1964. Together, Lynne and John embarked on a life filled with adventure, spanning various duty stations in Europe and the United States, including France, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Texas, Kansas, New York, and Illinois.
As an Army wife and mother of four children, Lynne was the pillar of strength that held her family together through countless transitions. Her unwavering devotion and loving nature endeared her to all who knew her, creating a legacy of love and resilience that transcended borders and generations.
Remembering a Remarkable Legacy
Throughout her life, Lynne’s dual identity as both a French citizen and a proud American reflected her deep-rooted sense of belonging and identity. Passing her U.S. Citizenship test was a significant accomplishment for Lynne, symbolizing her enduring connection to her adopted homeland while honoring her French heritage.
Despite facing numerous challenges, including a divorce from John after their time at Fort Sheridan, IL, Lynne’s spirit remained unbroken. Spending nearly four decades in Highland Park, IL, where she forged lifelong friendships and worked at the Highland Park Hospital for 35 years, Lynne’s warm presence left an indelible mark on all who crossed her path.
An avid traveler with an insatiable thirst for new experiences, Lynne’s adventurous spirit knew no bounds. Remarkably, she never held a driver’s license, preferring to navigate the world on foot, regardless of the weather—a testament to her strength and determination.
In her later years, after a stroke left her with lasting effects, Lynne found solace and care at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood, IA, where she was surrounded by a community that cherished her deeply. Her love of music, family, and travel remained constants in her life, culminating in a poignant visit to France with her children and granddaughter Jane in 2018.
As Lynne’s family, including her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, gather to celebrate her life and legacy, they are united in their grief and gratitude for having known such a remarkable woman. Lynne’s memory will live on in the hearts of all who were privileged to have been touched by her warmth, love, and unwavering spirit.
Lynne A. Scott’s legacy is a testament to the power of love, resilience, and unwavering spirit that transcends time and space, leaving an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing her. May her memory be a source of comfort and inspiration to all who mourn her passing, as we remember a life well-lived and a legacy that will endure for generations to come.
