Lynn M. Poland
December 13, 1949 ~ July 11, 2022
Born in:
Hackensack, NJ
Resided in:
Hamden, CT
Lynn Margaret Poland, age 72, of Hamden, died peacefully at home of complications from a stroke, on July 11, 2022. Formerly of Huntersville, NC, Lynn was predeceased by her parents, Clark and Harriet Poland, and her beloved partner, Greg Preston.
Lynn graduated from New Canaan High School, Bates College in Lewiston, ME and earned her PhD. from the University of Chicago Divinity School. Dr. Poland taught Religious Studies at various institutions of higher education including Indiana University, NC State, University of Chicago Divinity School, her alma mater Bates College, and ultimately at Davidson College in North Carolina, from which she retired
in 2018 after 28 years.
Lynn loved life on her farm in Huntersville, her own little Eden. She believed every girl should have a tractor! She loved her horses, the things she grew, and the people who worked on the farm with her. Lynn opened her heart and home to many rescue greyhounds. Always an artist, in her retirement Lynn discovered her passion and talent for pottery making.
Lynn is survived by her beloved sister and brother, Nancy Samela (Joseph) and George Poland (Lisa), and her cherished nieces and nephews, Joseph and Christina Samela, Katharine, Elizabeth, and John
Poland. She also leaves behind many dear cousins and a legacy of lifelong friends and colleagues. All loved and will miss Lynn dearly.
A private service will be held at the family summer cottage on Lake Quaboag in East Brookfield, MA. Donations in Lynn’s memory may be made to Greyhound Friends in Hopkinton, MA (www.greyhound.org).
My only regrets were we lived so far apart and I never got to visit her slice of paradise 💔
Greg was nothing less than “head over heels” for his Lynnie, and she for him….I’m finally truly at peace at the thought of their energy entwined soaring the universe star dust once again..Bon Voyage see you on the flip side 💘
Blessings to Lynn’s family and friends left behind, missing her already.
Lynn was one of the most important people in my life. We met at Bates, learning and adventuring, and she helped me through the death of my great love, Dennis Collins. Over the years I stayed in Maine while she ventured so many places, but we always kept in touch and saw each other as often as we could, especially once she landed in NC where my family lived.
To Nancy and George and families – thank you for the wonderful care you gave her.
May she live in all the hearts and minds of those who knew and learned from her. May she and Greg be reunited in peace. May her love of so much and many stay with us all.
Last night I dreamed she was driving in the old Blue Bag Subaru, just cruising along, a greyhound in the passenger seat. She was smiling, knowing that something good awaited her just beyond the next curve.
You will be greatly missed by all.
Jane and John Gallagher
I didn’t know about Lynn’s prior illness. I am so sad to hear this news. I know Lynn from being lake Quabog summer neighbors long ago and then again meeting her out at camp when she was walking her greyhound. This was 20 plus years ago and I so loved that experience we soon later rescued Rapid Fire; our own greyhound. It was then later we ended up
In NC and she did too! I regret we did not connect but all of life’s daily stuff seems to always get in the way. Sounds like Lynn had a wonderful rich life surrounded by love. That’s the best we can ask for. I’m sending my prayers to the Poland family.
I’m so sorry to hear of Lynn’s passing. She was a fun and imaginative person who will be missed. I’m so glad Cathey and I had a chance to visit with her in June when she and Nancy were at camp. My thoughts are with you, Nancy and George, and the whole Poland family.
Love to all
Heather King
My heartfelt condolences to her family.
Felicia van Bork
May you all eventually find God’s peace that passes all understanding 🙏🏻! All of our hearts are breaking 💔 for the loss of Lynn. She was such a kind, loving, caring, vibrant person and cousin; always wearing that “full of life” smile 😊! But, thankfully we all know she is free from life’s struggles here on earth, and joined in heaven with Greg, your mom & dad, my mom & dad, and all those family and friends that have gone before her ❤️. Praying for all of you to feel God’s loving, comforting arms around you, and His help through this most difficult, hurting time 🙏🏻. Allow all the wonderful memories to flood your hearts ❤️❤️! We’re here for you! Love you guys tons, KK, Dave & girls
I was very shocked and saddened too hear about her stroke and early departure from us.
Let us all cherish our memories.
A classmate of Lynn’s during her brief time high school in southern Delaware so many years ago, I remember her fondly as she, of course, was unforgettable.
Coincidentally, my college years were spent at Davidson College where Lynn subsequently taught and thrived for 28 years.
We lost contact soon after graduation but Lynn was kind enough to make the trek north to an ‘honorary’ 50th high school reunion in Delaware several years back. Not surprisingly Lynn remained as vibrant and giving and kind as remembered by all back in the day.
She will be missed by everyone blessed with the good fortune to have known her.
May Lynn rest in eternal peace.
I just learned of Lynn’s death from the Bates College magazine. I am so stunned and saddened. I knew Lynn a little bit at Bates but came to know her better when we were both graduate students at The University of Chicago. She was an exceptionally profound, thoughtful, and kind person. Deepest condolences to her family and close friends.
I am so sorry to hear of Lynn’s death. She was my teacher at the University of Chicago, and she profoundly shaped my understanding of the study of religion. She was writing on Augustine’s Confessions in those days, and her brilliant interpretation of that great book has stayed with me all these years. I last saw her eight years ago in North Carolina and loved hearing about her beloved farm. What a beautiful soul. I was lucky to be her student for a while. Deepest condolences to the many students whose lives she touched, and to her family and friends.