Lynn Firth

Lynn Dee Kindsvatter Firth passed away Monday February 6, 2017, in Buffalo NY, surrounded by family. Lynn was a very caring and joyful person; she shared her love for life through a variety of volunteer work, hobbies and music. She was a very intelligent, adventurous, and courageous individual.  She is survived by her husband Troy Firth, whom she married January 30, 1988.  Also surviving is her daughter Whitney Firth of Spartansburg, brother Don Kindsvatter of Boston, MA and numerous extended family members.

Born February 27, 1954 to Donald and Esther Kindsvatter, Lynn grew up in Coraopolis PA, where she was an active member of her community whether it was cheerleading in high school, or her church youth group.  Lynn graduated from Cornell Senior High School and then attended Penn State, graduating in 1976.

Following college, Lynn worked as a Social Worker for many years at the county home in Saegertown, PA.  After marriage Lynn moved to Spartansburg where she and Troy worked together in their maple syrup and forestry business, Firth Maple Products.  In 2004 she helped start The Foundation for Sustainable Forests, a nonprofit land trust.  Lynn was active in organizing the Spartansburg Bicycle Trail and she tended the trailside flower garden at Clear Lake, adding beauty to the community.  Flowers, in particular native wildflowers, were a lifelong passion of Lynn’s.  She was skilled in identifying plants and transplanted many of her favorites to the family’s backyard.  Lynn was also a skilled musician, playing both fiddle and keyboard with friends at music jams, festivals and contra dances, and performing at nursing homes and daycares.  Lynn joined friends at music workshops throughout West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Lynn had a thirst for knowledge; she studied Eastern Woodland Indian mounds and also travelled to Mexico and Central America to view numerous Indian ruins.  Her curiosity about the natural world led to studies of birds, sea shells and the native plants of each place she visited.

Lynn cared deeply about healthful living and being physically fit.  She ate well and exercised by riding bicycle, canoeing, kayaking, skiing and walking.  Lynn’s independence and fearlessness led her on a number of extensive bicycle and canoe trips, where the countryside could be seen on a far more intimate level than speeding past in a car.

Most notably Lynn Firth was a kind person, thinking of others first, giving unselfishly of herself and passing joy on to those who met her.  No one will be missed more by her family, friends or community.  Thank you for the pleasure of knowing you, Lynn.

Family and friends are invited to join in remembering Lynn at Valley View Mennonite Church in Spartansburg.  Calling hours will be Friday February 10th from 5pm until 7 and Saturday February 11th from 9am until 11.  A memorial service officiated by Pastor Robert Esh will follow Saturday’s calling hours.  Memorial contributions may be donated to the Corry Public Library.