Lynne Elman Obituary

Lynne- What an amazing spirit. I remember many days in NOE Valley, when I worked at Xela and you were selling incense. You made the world better with your kindness and big hearted laughter. I remember you being a Jewish Goddess with your curls and knowledge that brought ancient charisma into the present. You introduced me to the liberating power of poetry and the joy of basketball. You helped me stay passionate for the cause of ending homelessness as crisis of unrecognized talents. You will always be in my heart. The gods are lucky to have you back in their company. I miss you.

Lynne, you've been on my mind and yesterday I googled you and found your obituary. My old, old friend. We go so far back. We were teenagers when we met and much of our friendship over the decades is instilled with laughter, deep conversations, life changes and now this. There are still things that you've said to me over the years that have shaped my opinions, none that I will share here but you know. You shared the beauty of San Francisco with me. The magic of New York City. And the last time we met, I was with my future husband at San Francisco City Hall. I remember you said to him, "You must be an incredible guy because she wouldn't be with just any one." I remember you, Lynne. Until we meet again. Minerva

Ohhhh Lynne!! I miss you I've been thinking of you these last few months! I went to google you to give you a call and say hello, only to broken heartedly discover you've passed over. It gives my soul some small comfort to know your passing was accompanied by the beautiful music of your grandfather, and you had ended up in Ukiah, always your magical place. I hope your passing was peaceful and surrounded by love.

We had so many amazing adventures together, laughter, joys and sorrows, I'm sorry I wasn't there for the last ones.

We had so much fun at the Ritz being their "survey girls", causing mischief walking around the East Village and joking around with random people as we wandered. Spending time with you at NYU editing over and over your documentary "Homeless Not Helpless" until it truly captured the essence of the people you spotlighted... Rounds of hysterical laughter, irreverent sense of humor, and a genuine joy for life and the people we met along the way. So happy you got to meet my daughter.

I still have my copy of our 1980s NSFW Orr Hot Springs photo album.... I remember when you and Robert (see his Legacy note) made your cross country trip, I took you to see the Harlem Globetrotters the night before. I was tormenting you that I had something to keep you two protected on your trip... and ended up giving you a giant pack of life savers candy to eat along the way lol...

Lynne, you touched people's lives in ways big and small with your charisma, wicked sense of humor, kindness, wisdom and joy...

You are truly missed, I write through my uncontrollable sobs and rivers of tears.... hope to be welcomed by one of your giant squeezy hugs when I take my (what seems like an increasingly smaller) step over to the other side some day. In the meanwhile, hope you are looking down on me, sending me some joy and laughter on the days I need it the most...

Michelle! Huge hugs to you Raj and David. I can't imagine your sense of loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Love you and miss you!!

Lynne, you were a firebrand, a hothouse flower, an accomplished poet, an outrageously talented performer, an outspoken sister. Most of all, you were a caring soul, drawing on your Jewish roots to care for all humanity. We connected in Ukiah as poets; you helped me to curate and perform my work. Then, we had a spat; I am sorry about my part in this. It teaches me the lesson that life is short and relationships are important. Rest in power, my friend... and keep reciting your poetry across the universe.

Lynne, I haven't heard from you. I was concerned when I called your phone. The service was disconnected. My heart began to race. I went online and found your obituary, and now I'm devastated. I wanted to tell you what a wonderful friend you are to me. We met in 1989 at the Sunrise Juice bar in NYC. You were working there and so vibrant. I liked you immediately, and shortly after our initial meeting, we were playing basketball up at Central Park and planning our train trip cross country to San Fransico. You bought a bongo drum and drove everyone crazy on the train, but I loved it. I loved every moment we spent together. The hike down to the North rim of the Grand Canyon, Poetry readings in Santa Fe, driving up the coast on Highway 1, Muir Woods, and the Dinner with your family. You were always there for me when we were together or from a distance, time and again. I'll miss you dearly, my angel, and I'll always cherish my memories of you. You were a gift to many, and I will always love you. Rest in Peace, you wonderfully creative, brilliant, and cherished guiding light. You will be missed by all who were honored to be in your presence. Thank you for being a part of my life. I am a better person for having known you. I love you.

I kept running into a new face in our small town of Ukiah, California, a tall woman with dreadlocks. In her, I saw a kindred spirit. I started a conversation with her to discover that she was Jewish. I invited her to services at Kol Ha Emek, our local shul, and she came. I admired that she could read Hebrew and knew all the prayers, something I cannot do.

During Passover in the pandemic, I thought of her and invited her to our seder. Considering that there were no COVID vaccines at the time and we were in lockdown only making contact with our "pods," Lynne agreed to sit outside the open kitchen window on the porch where we provided her a table and chairs and included her in the service. Lynne became our Elijah that year. She was so touched by including her in our pandemic Passover that she and I made a deeper connection.

I visited her farm in Potter Valley and shared her plans and dreams for growing flowers for essential oils. She could be found at farmers markets selling her "Out of This Earth" scented sprays. She joined us for services at Kol Ha Emek many times, and was involved in various projects around the county. I deeply grieve the loss of my new friend and valuable member of the KHE community.

I think Lynne and I got involved in the Mendocino County poetry community at about the same time, which for me was about 8 years ago. I so appreciated her dynamic performance style and passion for justice. She was one of my sisters in poetry and I will miss her.

On behalf of the Abraham Lincoln High School Class of 1982 Reunion Committee, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of our dear classmate, Lynne. Lynne was "ours," a classmate who loved her role on the basketball team, the one who earned "Most Athletic," the one who enjoyed our Class of `82 Reunions, the one who will be remembered for her contagious smile. Lynne left us with her beautifully written poem, "Spirit Speaks" and it will forever be a part of our class. We will miss our endeared friend, but her smile and beautiful spirit will always linger throughout our Class of `82 gatherings. May our friend rest in paradise.

Lynne, you were my nextdoor neighbor for over a decade in the Lower Haight. We fought from the moment we met and then, slowly, over the years, we realized we were on the same side-the side of people, the side against corporate overlords. I´m so sorry to hear of your death. I would have hoped that you would have outlasted me by decades. I will light a candle in your honor tonight. The Lower Haight salutes you. XO

Sending my heartfelt condolences. Trying to locate contact so that I can personally express my thoughts to Michelle and family,

Mark Friedlander

Dearest Michelle, It was so sad to read of Lynne´s passing in today´s newspaper. I remember her well when she visited us at the Jewish Home: full of life and enthusiasm, an explorer, an artist in every sense of the word.
I send you and your family all my love. It´s so hard to lose a sister.
May her memory be a blessing.
- Abby (Garfagnoli)

Lynne, you have my heart. I love you always and I hope to see you again when I leave this world. You're free! Visit me some time, please.

You are a hero. Rest.

Thank you for living. You are a hero. Rest.