Obituary of Marilyn "Lynn" (Van Gundy) Underhill

Marilyn “Lynn” M. (Van Gundy) Underhill, age 90, died unexpectedly on Monday, August 8, 2016 at Lahey Hospital in Burlington, MA. She was the devoted wife of the late Reverend Wayne S. Underhill. Born in Bloomington, IL on August 14, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Grant and Mae (Shireman) Van Gundy. Lynn graduated from Newton High School in 1943, and later received her Bachelor's Degree in Latin American Culture from Mount Holyoke College in 1947. There she formed a strong bond and enduring friendship with the “Divine Nine”, a name given by Lynn's brother to the close group of 9 gals who have kept in touch for the past 69 years (and counting) via round robin letters and reunions. Lynn and her husband raised their family in Berea, Ohio and Sudbury, MA. They later moved to Lowell and Lynn before settling in Peabody for the last 22 years. Lynn worked for the Sudbury Public Schools as Secretary to the Assistant Superintendent for 15 years. While living in Lynn, she served as the Church Secretary at Broadway United Methodist Church for 21 years before she retired. Lynn was an avid reader, enjoyed daily crossword puzzles, and plays at the North Shore Music Theatre. Over the years, she enjoyed knitting, playing bridge, camping and live music. Socializing with friends and the annual family reunion at Higgins Beach in Scarborough, Maine were always highlights in her life. Lynn is survived by her children and their spouses, Grant and Kathy Underhill of Chapel Hill, NC, Sharon Underhill of Peabody, Lauren Underhill of Newington, CT and Gretchen and Richard James of Merrimack, NH, her grandchildren, Lara Harding of NC, Katie Underhill of NY and Kelly James of NH, her niece, Penny (Van Gundy) Wright of Lake Wales, FL, her great granddaughter, Zoey Sittig of NH and several other nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her dear and devoted brother, Richard G. Van Gundy Her funeral service will be held on Monday, August 15, 2016 at 11:00 am at the Grace United Methodist Church, 374 Broadway in Lynn, MA. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, August 14, 2016 from 3:00 – 6:00 pm at the Conway, Cahill- Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody, MA. A family committal of ashes will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 374 Broadway, PO Box 8070, Lynn, MA 01904, Sharing Inc., PO Box 850153, Braintree, MA 02185-0153 or to WJIB (740 AM radio), 443 Concord Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138.