Lynne Carol Pierce-French

Lynne C. Pierce-French, age 71, of Huber Heights, Ohio, passed away on December 29, 2023. She was born in Springfield, IL, on November 30, 1952 to the late Frank and Patricia Pierce.

Lynne carried out her life with a beautiful heart, spirit, and mind. For most of her life, she exhibited kindness, compassion, and unconditional positive regard for others. Lynne excelled academically and professionally. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Organizational Communication both from The University of Northern Colorado and worked as an Information Communication Specialist from 1975 to 1986. She also worked at the United Blood Services of Cheyenne in 1985. In 1988, Lynne began her career in Mental Health. In 1991, she achieved Magna Cum Laude in her Master of Education degree at the University of Dayton. Lynne also presented more than 60 workshops and Inservices as a Professional Counselor and Therapeutic Storyteller in the Dayton area as well as several locations around the country for conferences of professional organizations. Lynne's landmark achievement was the creation of Therapeutic Storytelling, a mental health treatment approach designed to serve residents in nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities ranging from full cognitive ability to advanced dementia. She memorized over 200 therapeutic stories which included elements of history, humor, emotional connections, and grief. As a dramatic narrator, Lynne presented these stories using music, singing, narrative therapy, puppets, and props that invoked active participation from the audience. Lynne attained standing in Outstanding College Students of America, The World's Who's Who of Women, Who's Who in the Midwest and Two Thousand Notable American Women. While in Dayton, Lynne developed and owned a business called A Healing Bridge: Red Oak Counseling for 30 years. Overall, Lynne was a professional mental health counselor for 33 years. In that time, she helped over a thousand individuals, couples, and families.

In addition to a stellar professional career, Lynne had a very fulfilling personal life. In 1975, Lynne married Jed White of Briggsdale, CO. From 1977 to 1981, while attending school and working, Lynne and Jed had three children, Danielle, Robert, and Corrine, before divorcing in 1983. In 1986, Lynne married Air Force Captain, Eric French. True to Lynne's avid belief in feminism and equality, they chose to hyphenate their last name as "Pierce-French." They lived in Cheyenne, WY before being re-stationed to Mesa, Arizona. After two years, the Air Force employed a second permanent change of station for Eric and Lynne and her three children, to Dayton, OH in 1989. Lynne became a well known pillar of mental health treatment in the Dayton Community. From 1997 through 2005, Lynne became a grandmother of four beautiful grandchildren, two grandsons and two granddaughters. In 2011, Eric and Lynne purchased the Smoothie King Franchise, and opened two stores in Miami Township and Beavercreek Ohio. It has been a successful business for 12 years. In early 2021, Lynne retired from professional counseling. Throughout her life, Lynne has had a strong faith in Christianity. She attempted to exemplify these beliefs in her daily life and career. She aimed to reflect the truth and nature of Jesus by accepting and loving all people regardless of faith, sex, gender, sexual orientation, race or socioeconomic status. Lynne believed in the intrinsic worth of each individual and believed in equity and equality. She loved animals with a passion and saught a kinship with each one she came across in life. She raised Rocky the Racoon from a babe. Throughout her life, Lynne had dogs, frogs, rabbits, and Guinea Pigs as pets. For many years, Lynne donated to the World Wildlife Fund. Lynne taught these tenants to her children and grandchildren, whom she loved very much. Lynne also had a loving and rewarding relationship with Eric for 38 years. Eric became Lynne's primary caretaker for the last 3-4 years, during which she struggled the most with her illnesses. Lynne is survived by her husband, Eric; her daughters, Corrine and Danielle, and her son, Robert and his fiancée, Chelsey; her grandchildren (Robert's children), Braeden, Logan, Kaiya, Avary and Cameron. Lynne is also survived by her sister, Jeanne and her three children; Cory, Breean, and Kelley, five grandnieces and a grandnephew; and her brother, Rob.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, January 14, 2024 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm at the Newcomer North Chapel, 4104 Needmore Road, Dayton. Funeral services will follow at 2:00pm.


Lynne's service will be livestreamed at the selected service time. Click Here to view the service.

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