Lynda S. Allanach

Falmouth – We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Lynda Smith Allanach – beloved wife, mother, Mimi, sister and aunt – due to complications from dementia. She was 79.

Lynda was born in Chester, Pennsylvania to Richard H. and Catherine (Stringfellow) Smith and was the oldest of six siblings. Her father’s sudden passing when she was a teenager cast her into the role as the patient leader of that boisterous group and prepared her well for a remarkable life. Lynda was brilliant, beautiful, courageous and caring and those who knew and loved her will miss her dearly.

Lynda met a handsome cadet named Bill Allanach at her secretarial job in the Engineering Department at Pennsylvania Military College. Bill was commissioned as an Army Officer and they were married on October 23,1965. Lynda embraced her role as an Army spouse and relished the experiences and travel that followed. She’d proclaim “Life with Bill – the adventure continues!’ as each new opportunity arose. For a girl who hadn’t spent much time outside of the Philadelphia area, multiple assignments across the United States as well as Korea and Spain truly were an adventure. The greatest rewards of their nomadic life are the countless dear friends they met along the way.

While managing household moves and her growing family, Lynda served in volunteer positions with the American Red Cross, League of Women Voters, U.S. Military Academy Catholic Chapel and Poland Spring Preservation Society. She taught Sunday school classes and led a Girl Scout troop. When Bill retired from the Army, Lynda’s lifelong interest in current events and politics resulted in her going back to school to earn an undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Texas at San Antonio followed by a Master’s degree in Urban Planning from Trinity University. Her professional career started in the offices of the San Antonio City Manager and Mayor Henry Cisneros. Lynda also had planning and program manager roles with the U.S. Air Force and the SkyLink transportation system at DFW airport.

Lynda was a nurturing mother to her three children, the proudest Mimi to her seven “Grands,” and all of them inherited her quick wit and wry sense of humor. She fostered their interests in sports, music and agriculture projects and cheered from the stands at every competition or recital she could attend. She read countless bedtime stories, made delicious dinners and crafted homemade Halloween costumes, Christmas decorations and much more. Her happy place at the lake in Maine is a wonderful legacy to her family and her encouragement to “enjoy every moment!” will carry the family through this difficult time.

Lynda was predeceased by her parents, her brothers Barry and Steven Smith and an infant son. She is survived by her husband Bill, children Deborah Boll (Mark), Will Allanach (Juliet) and Megan Johnson (Chris). Her grandchildren Ryan and Colin Boll, Elizabeth and Matthew Allanach, and Nicholas, Will and Ella Johnson will remember her with love. She also leaves behind brothers Rick Smith (Pam) and Jeff Smith (Jane), sister Cynthia Dearfield (Mark) and several nieces and nephews.

A private burial will be held at Arlington National Cemetery. Lynda’s family would like to thank the staff of Legacy Memory Care at OceanView At Falmouth and Hospice of Southern Maine for their dedicated care and support. Donations in Lynda’s memory may be made to the Portland Wheelers or Hospice of Southern Maine. Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home of Portland.