By: Sherry Sancibrian, MS, CCC-SLP, TSHF Director Emeritus, and Donise Pearson, MS, CCC-SLP, TSHF President-Elect

Dr. Joan “Jil” Lynch, a Director Emeritus of the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation (TSHF), passed away on November 5, 2021, in Houston. Jil earned her baccalaureate in psychology from the University of Indiana, a Master of Sciences in speech pathology from Northwestern University, and Doctor of Education from Teacher’s College, Columbia University. She was employed at the University of Texas Speech and Hearing Institute in Houston, where she served as the supervisor of the diagnostic clinic and eventually became the Center’s director. Jil also was active on the Cleft Palate Team and published articles on cleft palate with colleagues Dr. Donna Fox and Bonnie Brookshire. 

When Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (TSHA) President Sandy Friel-Patti asked Anne Mauzy to take on the task of revitalizing the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation in 1992, Anne looked for people with specific expertise to serve as founding members of the board. She invited Jil Lynch to serve as Research Chair. Jil accepted and served on the TSHF board for 13 years, including a term as President from 1996 to 1999. In 2000, Jil created the Lynch Endowment of the Foundation to support the work of the Foundation. Through the Lynch Endowment, the legacy of Dr. Joan (Jil) Lynch will continue indefinitely. 

The TSHF Board of Directors is grateful for Jil’s service, leadership, and generosity over the years. Her legacy lives on in the lives of those she taught and mentored. For more information, please see https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/houstonchronicle/name/joan-lynch-obituary?id=31521921.