Lynne Clarissa Near

Lynne Near passed away on April 5, 2025 after a courageous journey with breast cancer at the tender age of 51.

Lynne was born in Simi Valley, California in 1974, and graduated from high school there. She is survived by her parents, Rick, and Kathy Near; brother, Shawn; dear husband, Gil; and her beloved young son, Benji.

Lynne spent many summers travelling with her parents as a young girl exploring the Southwest on bird-watching excursions. While chasing her favorites, the hummingbirds, she was gathering a lifelong appreciation of indigenous cultures, native birds, and local fauna. Later in life after meeting Gil, they enjoyed many adventures together exploring his native country of Mexico and finding remote villages in Oaxaca, Michoacan and Jalisco. They loved meeting local artisans and crafts people, and collecting their beautiful artwork and indigenous crafts.

Lynne attended UCSC and majored in communications and history. She was fluent in Spanish and after graduating, she taught English to new arrivals to the States. This is where she met Gil who was destined to become the love of her life.

Lynne was a respected and favorite Spanish teacher at Scotts Valley High School for nearly two decades. Los niños locales tuvieron suerte de tenerla como maestra!

Lynne was an avid gardener and her extensive knowledge and passion for all things horticulture is indelibly represented in the amazing orchards, pollinator flower gardens, native plantings, flowering trees, and countless succulents that beautifully adorn the property that Lynne and Gil created together. She was super creative and enjoyed making mosaic artworks. Her colorful and layered gardens represent the ultimate mosaic of her lifetime, and will always be a sanctuary for her family and for her favorites, the hummingbirds!

The most precious thing in the world to Lynne was her son Benji, and she absolutely cherished time spent with him. She cheered him on from the sidelines while he played soccer in the formidable role as goalkeeper. She loved listening to him laugh with his friends, loved cozying up on rainy days and watching old 80's coming-of-age movies like Sixteen Candles and Breakfast Club, loved sharing private stories, and baking him chocolate chip cookies and fabulous birthday cakes with tons of sprinkles.

Lynne was an incredible mom and she loved her family dearly. Benji's unique character, wicked sense of humor and stellar charm is a testament to the love that bonded Lynne to her sweet family and the closeness they shared.

Lynne was deeply loved and will always be deeply missed by those who loved her.

So, for every hummingbird you see that flutters quickly by, think of Lynne and remember that all of us leave a spirit in our wake that will not be forgotten by the people we loved and the lives we touched and the mosaics we created on this incredible journey of life!

Published in Press Banner · April 3, 2026