Lynne M. Steeves

Lynne Mary Steeves, 96, passed away peacefully at her home on July 30, 2019 after a brief illness.

She was the wife of the late Gerald N. Steeves who died in 2006.

Lynne was born in Worcester on August 14, 1922 a daughter of the late Salim and Mary (Haddad) Ayik. She was raised in Worcester and graduated from Commerce High School before attending Becker Junior College, The New England School of Accounting and Worcester Junior College.

She and her husband owned and operated the former Steeves Insurance Agency and Steeeves Realty which was located on Sever Street in Worcester. Mrs. Steeves was also employed by Attorney Jack Keenan for 25 years where she did both accounting and estate planning. She was also a Justice of the Peace in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts which was held from 1980 until the time of her passing.

Lynne was an avid golfer having started in 1962 and played up until 2018. In 1997, she won the Worcester County Women's Golf Association Class C Championship. Her love for the sport of golf brought her many wins over people that were 30 years her junior. She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Worcester where she served as Past President on the Welcome Guild and was also a Past Deaconess. She was also Past President of the Altrusa Club of Worcester from 1982 until 1984. Mrs. Steeves was a member of the Worcester Woman's Club, Daughters of the Mokanna Easter Star, Worcester Woman's Republican Club and the Woman's Health Initiative. She was appointed Kentucky Colonel in 1970. She was a lifetime member of the Greendale YMCA and active with the silver sneakers, before "quitting" the gym at the age of 95.

Lynne and her beloved husband, "Gerry" enjoyed traveling the world together. They spent winters in their villa in Marbella, Spain and also North Palm Beach, Florida. She was a consummate party host and enjoyed cooking, especially Lebanese foods that she was raised on. Her guests were always happy to sample her dishes. For years, she and Gerry, as "Grand Monarch of the Grotto's of North America," hosted guests in their home from the world over and entertained them. She had a passion for sewing and she participated in many craft shows throughout Central Massachusetts. She had her own followers, who sought out her beautiful bags and pot holders. Lynne had no greater love than raising her daughters, Cathie, Ruth & Bette and Step Daughter Donna and spoiling and loving her treasured Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.

She leaves behind her children, Catherine L. Martin and her husband, Richard of Sterling, Ruth E. Bergstrom and her husband William of Princeton; Bette G. Staruk and her husband, Mark of Worcester; step daughter, Donna Oberg and her husband, Ronald, Indian Land, SC. She leaves her brothers; Richard Ayik of Shrewsbury, Henry Ayik of Worcester; sisters, Adele Svendsen of Shrewsbury and Najala Lindquist of Worcester; and a step son-in-law, William Gasperak of West Springfield. She also leaves nine beloved Grandchildren and thirteen Great Grandchildren, who were the lights of her life. A step-daughter, Diane Gasperak and her siblings, Norman Ayik, George Ayik and Victoria Bicknell predeceased her.



Family and friends will gather to celebrate her life on Monday, August 5 from 5:00pm until 7:00pm at the Callahan, Fay & Caswell Funeral Home, 61 Myrtle St., Worcester. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 6 at 10:00am at the First Baptist Church, 111 Park Ave., Worcester. Burial alongside her husband will follow at Hope Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to "Alethia Grotto" c/o David Smith – Secretary, 44 Dutton Street, Worcester MA 01610.