Lynn J. Brunner

Lynn J. Brunner, 87, of Athens, passed away on February 29, 2024 at Albany Medical Center. Born on August 25, 1936 to the late Mary (Melley) and John Gray, in Brooklyn NY. Lynn was married to her husband Robert Brunner for 55 years until his passing in 2018. She was a nurse at the Catskill Hospital before leaving to start a family. Even while raising a family she was an active member of the community. She spent countless hours preserving the history of Athens. Lynn was a member of the Athens Bicentennial Committee in 1976 which led to the founding of the Athens museum that she continued to manage until her passing. A proud achievement was the history book Athens – Its People and Industry 1776-1976. Lynn was also an early member of the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society during the 1980s. If you were a student at Athens Elementary School in the 1980s you probably remember Lynn for her ceramics classes. Lynn was an Athens Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary member and past President. She was involved in many Fire Department activities over the past four decades, including the former annual bazaar at the little league field, Thursday pizza night fundraisers and several county conventions. Lynn was a member of the Athens Republican Committee for many years. In her later years she became involved with the Athens Senior Center and was a member of the Rivertown Crafters and the Rivertown Senior Center Planning Committee. She also represented Athens on the Aging Advisory Board, serving as liaison between the Greene County Department of Human Services and the seniors of Athens. Lynn was the Town of Athens Historian and chair of the Town of Athens Bicentennial Committee in 2015. She was also a former member of the Board of Assessment Review. In addition to Lynn’s volunteer work she enjoyed her sewing and craft projects. She loved her granddaughter Kalina and enjoyed making her clothing and gifts. Lynn took interest in researching her Irish roots that led to finding relatives in Ireland. She enjoyed many trips to Ireland and Northern Ireland with her husband to visit with family there. Lynn and Robert both liked to travel and enjoyed trips with senior groups in America and Europe. Lynn was predeceased by her husband Robert Brunner. She is survived by her son Robert Brunner Jr. of Athens, son Brendan Brunner (wife Crystal) of Athens, granddaughter Kalina Brunner of Athens, sister Lorraine (Rhett) Finnerty of Gresham, OR, and sister Marlene (George) Taranto of Earlton, NY, also nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements are under the direction of Richards Funeral Home of the Mid-Hudson Valley, Inc., 28 North Vernon Street, Athens, N.Y., 12015. Please reach out to www.richardsfuneralhomeinc.net for the future date of The Celebration of Life for Lynn to be held for friends and family, and also to leave condolences and memories of Lynn.

Lynn J. Brunner

August 25, 1936 - February 29, 2024