Lynne Freitas Lynch
1958-2022
There was one bullet point at the top of Lynne Freitas Lynch’s to-do list: leave the world better than you found it. Lynne was an outlier, one of those uncommon individuals who brought light to shadow and kindness to pain. She was thoughtful, empathetic and selfless. She was everyone’s best friend.
Lynne was born and raised in San Rafael, a small town in Marin County, CA. She grew up with her parents Elliott and Lorraine Freitas and five brothers and sisters: Karen, Mark, Teresa, John and James. She attended Terra Linda High School and received her BA from San Jose State.
Lynne began her radio career in San Francisco before moving to Miami to work for Joe Robbie and the Miami Dolphins. She returned to the Bay Area and joined the ad sales team at KSAN. To spend more time with her daughter Christina, Lynne created a job-share arrangement with her good friend Geri Thomas. “The Twins,” as they were affectionately known throughout the industry, moved to KNBR where Lynne returned to selling sports.
Lynne met Mike Lynch at the 2006 KFOG KaBoom outdoor concert. They married in 2008 and she retired from the radio business two years later. In between she inherited a Cavalier King Charles named Charlie who became her constant sidekick and protector. For the final 12 years of her life Lynne traveled, hiked, gardened, read, cooked, volunteered at Hospice, delighted in babysitting her grandkids, and became a front row fixture in Pilates and Yoga classes at Elan Fitness and the YMCA.
Lynne was especially devoted to her family: daughter Christina Yermanov, her husband Artem and their two children Niko and Dima; stepson Greg Lynch, his wife Monica and their two children James and Kiera; and stepson Scotty Lynch and his wife Kat.
We love you Lynne. Your inner warmth and outward joy will be missed by all.
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A soul like no other……
Lynne had an infectious smile, amazing heart and was a light of love. From the moment we met I felt I had met my sister I wish I had. We both had family from the Azores, talented handsome husbands who have been lifelong friends, the love of outdoors and yoga and family.
She was an amazing listener. She cared so much for others and you could really see her focus on someone when they were sharing their thoughts or concerns. She was truly an angel. Her light will live on. She will be forever in my heart.
The world is a better place because of her.
My Sister, Lynne
To know Lynne as an adult is to know Lynne growing up. From an early age Lynne was like a firecracker. Her positive energy was a spark to any interaction and her personality shined bright and infectious. She was fiercely loyal to her family and friends. She nurtured these relationship throughout her life.
Sales was in Lynne’s DNA from an early age. She cut her teeth running the snack bar at the Marinwood Community Center with Sally Bolding as teenagers. Both being beautiful young women certainly contributed to her early success, but Lynne’s personality was bigger than life and the Snack Shack was the epicenter of the community center and pool. In high school Lynne graduated to the big leagues through our neighbor to run the KFRC booth at conventions and events. Back then, it was Dr. Don Rose as the station’s infamous disk jockey. Lynne’s presence in the industry was just in its infancy.
In our family of six children Lynne and I were born 18 months apart. Though we attended different schools I felt attached at the hip with Lynne especially during the summers growing up. She was always a willing accomplice.
As many know Lynne graduated from San Jose State, but more than any college education could provide,my sister was born with street smarts and incredibly people savvy. Lynne thrived on the challenge of landing a sales sponsor but I know she was equally as driven by the relationships she developed with coworkers and clients. It was not uncommon for a disk jockey on the air to say hello to Lynne as she passed through the station. She was loved.
Lynne was the pillar of our family. She was the glue. She was always the one to initiate family get togethers, first to call out birthdays, graduations and special occasions. She invested in each of us. She cared and loved each of us.
The shock and numbness from her passing has been replaced with sadness. We now feel the permanence of her absence. Her website is a blessing because we can see her, feel her and almost touch her. Lynne will live in our hearts and memories forever.
I first met Lynnie (with Geri, of course) when I was on the agency side and she called on me 25+ years ago. I was so impressed with her pitch, I remember telling her that it was the best pitch of all the pitches we had…and there were a TON! Several years later, I had the pleasure of working with her at KNBR for 10 years…. and she was the first to give me the warmest of welcomes when I first started at KNBR! Always a smile on her face, always a kindness in her heart!! Thank you, Lynnie!! XOXO
Lynne was an extraordinary beautiful person & lit up a room when she walked in! Her energy & bubbly personality was infectious, & I loved working with Lynne & Geri “the Twins” at KNBR. She loved her daughter so much, & would tell me “if Christina calls find me!” I realized that Lynne & Christina had an extraordinary bond & love. After Lynne left KNBR, we’d get together for lunch & share stories about our families & she really showed concern & compassion for others. I was touched by her hospice work and confirmed what an amazing person she was. Lynne will always hold a very special place in my heart. Sending love, hugs & prayers to Mike, Christina, John and the entire Freitas family.💞💞💞
Lynnie, you were the true glue of our family. I don’t want to believe you are gone. We love you and miss you!!!
I knew Lynne back in the Terra Linda High School days and then re-met her in 2015 at Hospice by the Bay as I was the volunteer coordinator and she was a volunteer. Lynne was an absolute bundle of pure joy. Lynne volunteered over 10 years for Hospice and was honored a Spirit Award. Her dedication to her patients and their families was nothing less than amazing. She gave her heart and soul to them and was such a gift not only to her patients but also their families. She was always one of the first to offer availability to sitting vigil with patients actively dying. Being present, consoling the family members and doing whatever was needed to help. Lynne brought sunshine and joy to all and will be missed by so many. Her spirit will carry on to all those she touched, loved and cared for. Lynne was one of a kind. My heartfelt condolences to her family and friends.
Michael and Christina,
Thank you for honoring Lynne’s memory with your very meaningful tribute. Her presence will always be missed; her memory is a treasure and an inspiration. Our memories of Lynne are endless. She was wise beyond her years. She was bright, independent and always inquisitive. She treasured family traditions and conveyed a set of beliefs and values that have passed on to her daughter Christina. She had the ability to connect emphatically with others from the time she was a child.
Lynne lived a life of generosity and kindness to everybody who came into her life. Her caring and selfless nature will live on forever. We are heartbroken over her loss but we will treasure her memory each and everyday. We love you.
Mom & Dad
It was a privilege for me to get to spend over 30 years with Lynne! Lynnie was my “twin” sister both in business and in my personal life. We shared work triumphs and challenges as well as personal joys and losses. She was a trusted and non judgmental confidant who generously shared her wisdom and optimism. I learned much about what it is to live a good life by observing her grace in handling her life’s challenges, while always appreciating the fullness of her life. Her beauty was further revealed in the joy she felt in celebrating other’s good fortunes.
I find some comfort in knowing that she was REALLY happy and regularly reflected upon the rich tapestry of her life. Now in her passing, I remind myself how she met such impactful losses with softness, gentleness and tenderness.
This is truly heartbreaking. While our paths didn’t cross at KNBR, the legend of Lynne and Geri resonated with everyone in our industry. My deepest condolences to everyone who loved Lynne.
I had the privilege of working with Lynne at KNBR for many years. She was so excited for me when I found out I was pregnant with Keira. I appreciated all her working mom advice! My heart goes out to Christina, Mike and her family. 💜
When I think of Lynne I see sunshine. She made a huge difference in my life as she did in all around her. She always had something to share with me on our walks, whether it was a book, a recipe or just some just good advice. Lynne was special in so many ways and I will miss her terribly.
I met Lynne over 20 years ago when I worked at JWT, Y&R…..Mediaedge. We had so much fun…along with Jeri…lots of laughing…good times and memories. My heart is broken and full of sadness. A forever friend. Love you Lynne.
I had the great fortune to work with Lynne to KSAN and then to KNBR as one half of the TWINS… I was just devastated to hear of her untimely passing. Lynne was simply the salt of the earth with so much charisma and charm that even a little bit of her was a gift.
The Twins! ❤️
I worked with Lynne for 11 yrs at KNBR and I can still hear her infectious laugh today! She and her twin Geri were unstoppable! Such an important part of our team! I can still see her beautiful smile in Christina. When she left radio and went into hospice work I was so impressed by her drive to do good. This is devastating news and my heart goes out to Christina, Michael, John and your entire family. Her spirit and her soul will carry on, sending lots of love and light!
I am so so sorry to learn this news. In my years at KNBR with Lynne, she provided energy and smiles and positivity. She definitely made the world better. She will be missed, and my condolences to all — particularly her brothers James and John. ❤️
I met Lynne while at Chiat/Day in the late 80’s. She was new to selling and was shadowing beloved KNEW/KSAN rep Bob Block . That was when I first experienced her enthusiasm, intelligence
and joi de vivre . What an ebullient creature with whom it was easy to feel a deep connection. So
sorry for this abrupt, tragic end to such an energetic life. Healing thoughts to her family and all who loved her.
Kind, empathetic, compassionate, selfless, sweet, giving, nonjudgmental, supportive-the biggest heart ever-all words that anyone who knew Lynne would use to describe her and that because that’s the person she truly was.
I met Lynne when I worked in radio-we quickly became fast friends. That was 14 years ago and over time I considered Lynne one of my closest friends. People would ask if we were sisters as we both were little people with curly hair.
Lynne was there for me in my joys, disappointments and sorrows-always there to be able to share my deepest feelings with. When I remodeled she was usually remodeling too and we had great fun sharing ideas. We hiked, we walked, we talked about anything and everything. I am so grateful that the week before she passed we had spent the day together walking to GG Park to see the AIDS quilt, playing with my pup Otis ( whom she adored), had lunch and just talked and talked as we always did-we never were at a loss for words I could go on and on and on and I do in my mind everyday. I miss her terribly and her loss I’m sure has a profound impact on all that knew and loved her. We all were so lucky to have been touched by Lynne. ❤️❤️🩹❤️
Lynne and Geri, the Twins, were the best, best, best in the radio business! As a client, I bought whatever they were selling on sports radio. Lynne, I have missed you all these years since we both left the advertising business, and am so saddened that you left this world far too early.
Lynne was an amazing, selfless person who genuinely cared about people. The world needs more people like her – this is truly a hard loss. I love you Lynne and will miss you terribly. ❤️
The first time Lynne went to Japan and we all had a blast it was so much fun. So glad that Lynne got to experience it and loved it.
And Lynne came to visit us in Istanbul in 2005 and later in Portugal, Austria and Korea. It was always so nice to have her and the rest of the family come stay with us. I remember her and TC being a bit surprised at the public “squattie potties” and wearing headscarves in the mosques in Turkey. I remember Lynne going for a jog while at our house in Portugal. She got lost and I don’t recall exactly how she made it back but I’m pretty sure it involved her befriending some very nice Portuguese strangers who somehow got her back home. As the saying goes, Lynne “never met a stranger.”
Istanbul 2005
Portugal 2007
I remember when Lynne came out to visit in Korea and you met Sunny for the first time, omg she was all over her. I especially remember when we went out site seeing. We all went on a tram and some Koreans saw Lynne and Mike with there gray hair, you they were the sights of the day. Love u Lynne forever and always
you are the freitas nucleus aunty lynne
To the women who made me strong, and gave me me my green eyes & blonde hair. Thank you & I love you forever