Mary Virginia Scott Lynam

Mary Virginia Lynam passed away peacefully on March 26, 2026 at Hudson Grande Senior Living. She was 96 years young.

Growing up in Maryville, MO, she moved to Corning, IA after her marriage to Francis Paul Lynam on April 12, 1952, before moving to Shenandoah and then Atlantic. She moved to Hudson, OH in 2023 to be closer to family.

Mary Virginia was a graduate of Northwest Missouri State College with an AB in Art and later studied fashion design in New York. She wore many hats as a mother, wife, sister, daughter, farmer, a farm wife, art teacher, receptionist at the Powder Puff Salon, Cass County American Red Cross local secretary, and as a realtor with John Wise & Associates and Century 21 offices in Atlantic. She belonged to Atlantic Lions Club, Methodist Women Circle, and Iowa Republican Women. She was a lifelong volunteer, giving her time as a 4-H leader for Cass County Glad Girls of Grove and in Adams County, as a Board member of Cass County Memorial Hospital, and as a driver for Meals on Wheels. She also was a docent at Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha, NE, and a tour guide at the National Historic Landmark George B. Hitchcock House in Lewis, IA. Mary Virginia and her husband Paul were founding members of the ARISE Group, which led the funding and renovation of the Atlantic Rock Island Depot and also the American Legion Memorial Building, both listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

She is survived by her children Anne (Pete), Scott (Darlene) and Polly (Paul); her grandchildren Renee, Kirstin (Anthony), Elizabeth, Rachelle, Delaney, Ginni, May and Matthew; and sister-in-law Shirley. She was proceeded in death by her husband of 56 years, Paul; her parents Ross and Hazel; her brothers; Ross (Phyliss), John (Marilyn), Carroll, Joe (Colleen and Ruby) and her infant sister Catherine.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday July 11, 2026 at the Atlantic First United Methodist Church, 800 Poplar St, Atlantic IA. Mary Virginia will be interred with her husband at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, Adel, IA.

Memorial contributions can be directed in Mary Virginia's name to the Atlantic First United Methodist Church; Atlantic ARISE PO Box 1, Atlantic, IA 50022, or the Hitchcock House 63788 567th LN, Lewis, IA 51544.