Edite Lynch

Edite Lynch (Ernestsons) was born on March 17, 1944, in Liepaja, Latvia and died unexpectedly shortly after her 80^th birthday on April 15, 2024 in Barrie, Ontario at Royal Victoria Hospital.  She is the daughter of Austra-Vera Alksnis (Ritmeisters d. 1991) and Elmars Vilhems Ernestsons (d. 1987) and sister of Inara Kuskis (Ernestsons d. 2007).

Edite and parents fled from Latvia in the fall of 1944 during WWII to a German displaced persons' (DP) camp.  They then later landed at refugee camps in Alborg, Denmark until 1949.  Elmars left Denmark to settle in Canada and later sent for Austra-Vera, Edite and Inara (born in Denmark).  The three arrived Halifax, Nova Scotia (Pier 21) by ship on February 14, 1949, and from there took a train to Kitchener, Ontario where they were abandoned by Elmars to fend for themselves. A few years later, Austra-Vera met, fell in love, and married the love of her life, Rolfs Alksnis (d. 2020), who became the dearest stepfather to Edite and Inara and loving and doting grandfather to their children.

Edite married William (Bill) Thomas Lynch (d. 2020) on December 30, 1967, and she is loved and survived by her three children - Jamie Lynch, Dina Skulte (Rich), and Andrea Gates (Cameron) and six grandchildren - Kristina Skulte (23), Erika Skulte (19), Colson Lynch (16), Julia Gates (16), Nolan Gates (13), Ryder Lynch (13).

Edite was a graduate of London Teacher's College and taught both in London and Toronto.  She served on the Baltic Women's Council of Canada as President for many years and in this role championed the cause of freedom for Balts and for Baltic Canadians and traveled to Ottawa, Washington DC and Vienna, Austria for the cause.

Edite devoted considerable time and energy to other organizations such as the Junior Women's Committee of the Toronto Symphony as well as the Women's Committee.  She also served on the Executive Board of the Etobicoke Christian Women's Club and served on the Executive Board of St. John's Latvian Lutheran Church in Toronto for 6 years.  She taught Sunday School, Youth Group, and initiated a Nursery and coffee time in the Church as well.  She was very proud to be a member of the Churches on the Hill Committee and organized a World Day of Prayer for Paraguay at St. John's.

Prior to a back injury in the 90's, surprisingly, she still found time to play golf and curl at the Weston Golf and Country Club where she also served as President of the Ladies Golf Section for a period of time.

Edite was very active in Federal and Global politics.  She even served on the Executive team of her Federal Riding Association in Etobicoke North.  She continued to voice her political beliefs and opinions by writing articles and letters to editors of many newspapers of which many were published.  She was a prolific writer.

She was a passionate reader, was very intrigued by the Royal Family, enjoyed many other sports including tennis, curling and volleyball.  She loved classical music.  Most importantly, she was very proud of and loved all of her children and grandchildren so much.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, May 25, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at St. John's Latvian Lutheran Church at 200 Balmoral Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M4V 1J6 followed by a coffee reception at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made online to: St. John's Latvian Lutheran Church Toronto. https://www.stjohnslatvian.ca/ziedojumi-donate