Lynne C. (Smith) Lightner

TOGETHER AGAIN

Lynne Clare Smith Lightner, 86, of Greenville, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully of natural causes, with her niece and a caregiver by her side, the early morning of November 17, 2025.

Lynne was born on June 17, 1939 in Warren, Ohio, the daughter of the late George Harry Smith and Martha Clare Coe Smith.

Lynne graduated from Warren G. Harding High School in 1957, furthering her education at Ohio University, Degree of Bachelor of Science in Journalism with honors (1961), University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Master’s Degree in Business Administration (1970).

Lynne passionately held an executive position for a large Healthcare Corporation, Tenent Healthcare in California, from where she ultimately retired, but later served as a hospital consultant, assuring patients received the best of all care. Aside from her career in health care, she joined forces with her husband in managing their properties and treated their tenants as family. Lynne and Darrell would help anyone in need, with sincerity. Lynne enjoyed planning and socializing.

She actively practiced her Faith at her church in California, where she was very involved and loved singing in the choir.

Lynne spent the majority of her lifetime in southern California and met the love of her life, Darrell A. Lightner. They shared a beautiful life of 32 years together, before his passing in 2019. She always had a special glow when she would tell the story of how they met. As Lynne had no children of her own, she was blessed to gain two step daughters, 2 grandsons and a great granddaughter and loved her time with them. After her husband’s passing, Lynne decided she wanted to move “home”. She especially missed her sister, as well as her brother- in- law, niece and nephew. She moved to Greenville, PA in 2020, traveling across the states in a mini RV, along with her little dog (a rescue), Lilly. This was during the outbreak of COVID and she did not want to fly. She was blessed to have a driver she knew and was able to sight see a bit on her travels home. After her arrival, she absolutely loved her new home at St. Paul’s Senior Living Community, in her own condominium. Lynne especially loved the snow and beautiful fall season in Ohio and Pennsylvania, watching the deer and wildlife in her own backyard.

All who knew Lynne loved and respected her. She had a loving smile, a tender touch, an ear for listening, and a knack for giving loving, caring, gentle advice to those in need. She was an intelligent woman who advocated for women in higher education and in the workforce over the years.

Lynne wrote poetry in her early years, was an avid reader (Wall Street Journal daily), as well as hundreds of books on her Kindle. She enjoyed walking the St. Paul’s neighborhood with the friendly ladies she met there. She always enjoyed the daily visits from her special friend, next door neighbor, Norm. He always looked out for her and would bring his wife to visit. As the need arose, she was blessed to have caregivers to tend to her needs, who also became her friends. They adored each other. Her days were also spent with the little dog- love of her life, Pudgy (another rescue). He was attached to her hip and loved her and protected Lynne until her passing.

Remaining to cherish Lynne’s memory are her stepdaughters Cindy Lightner of Newport Beach, CA, Judy Lynn Weaver of Huntington Beach, CA. Grandsons Mathew Lightner (Hannah) and Michael Weaver and a granddaughter, Savanna Weaver, all of California. Brother-in-law, Robert Michael (Greenville, PA). Niece Kelley Lynne Younkins and her husband, Ken (Burghill, OH). Special friends, Diana Navarre and Nancy Lynn Sullins, many other friends, family and her companion dog, Pudgy.

Preceding Lynne in death are her spouse, Darrell A. Lightner and her sister, Cynthia (Smith) Michael.

A very heart filled thank you:

To Lynne’s Caregivers: Tracey Gruber, her first care giver who became a close loving friend of Lynne

Jennifer Dragon and Selina Schell the newest caregivers who stepped in as if they were with Lynne from the beginning

St. Paul’s Without Walls: Michelle O’Malley and her team of caregivers who treated Lynne with dignity, love and respect: Lynne, Mary, Elaina, Justice, Scarlet, Devin, Joan and others.

UPMC Family Hospice Staff: Chaplin Eric who gave Lynne special comfort and Peace during her transition, Nurse Michelle, Home Care Aide Brianna and all others who helped in the process.

Services:

Per Lynne’s wishes, no services will be held.

Memorial donations in Lynne’s memory may be directed to Healthy Hearts and Paws Project Non-profit Organization, 909 Martin Luther King Blvd. SW Warren, OH 44485 or by visiting the website www.healthyheartsproject.org

Online visitors are welcome to sign the guest book at www.loutzenhiserfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Loutzenhiser-Jordan Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc. 366-368 S. Main St. Greenville.