After a long battle with heart disease Josephine Lynne Carveth-Fill died at Fairfax Hospital on July 28, 2017. A devoted and loving mother, grandmother, wife, companion, best friend, confidant, she never ever looked on the dark side of things no matter how disappointing. She was born on Nov. 1, 1949 in Niagara Falls, N.Y., the daughter of the late Virginia Moseley and Hector Carveth. Lynne leaves behind her husband of 45 years, Gerald, a son, Stephen, and daughter Katherine, and four grandchildren (Stephen Patrick, Breanne Lynne, Alyssa, and Dylan), and her siblings: Russell, Michael, and George Anne. She also leaves a large dedicated group of friends and admirers that she influenced and continuously brightened their days.
Lynne graduated from Holton Arms High School of Bethesda, Md., Class of 1967, and Sophie Newcomb College of Tulane University in 1970. Shortly after completing college she worked first for U.S. Rep. William H. Natcher, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, and then worked in the Postmaster General's Congressional Liaison Office. Lynne was married in 1972 and, instead of pursuing a degree in law, engineering, or other field, she deferred her ambitions to help develop the family construction business where she served for the next 20 years as the chief executive, earning the industry’s highest ratings for customer service and satisfaction.
Lynne was the anchor of the business, and leader of the family. She was low key, pleased to be of support, and continually working to blend the diverse needs of others and promote kindness as a universal value. She never asked for praise or recognition.
As one of her nephews said recently, she was the matriarch of the family, and was universally admired for her dedication and love of family and friends. This she consistently displayed despite a 20-year battle with heart disease and related medical problems. Whether it was painting or wallpapering the house, building a children's table and chairs, decorating the house, gardening, hosting a family celebration, cooking or baking, decorating the house for holidays or performing business accounting and planning to ensure the success of the family business, she was always ready and capable of bringing out the best in everyone.
Lynne was a devoted and loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was an effective initiator and leader for family unity. She was a dedicated and happy grandmother and was always there for anyone who needed her time or advice.
She surprised the family recently by building a wood table and chairs for her grandchildren. Her most enjoyable moments were spent celebrating holidays with family and friends. In particular, she loved to host a yearly family gathering at the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Above all, her love of life and people and positive outlook earned her universal admiration for her ability to always look on the positive side of things and bring people together.
When asked recently what she would like to be remembered for, she said; "That I did my best to make life for my husband and children and the rest of the family as happy as possible, no matter the circumstances." At times like this, in the darkest of moments, she typically shines quietly, courageously, and without complaint right to the very end.
The family writes, “Mom, Lynne, we all thank you from the bottom of our hearts for always being there for us when we needed you the most.”
Information about memorial service to follow.