Nancy D. Lynch

Our beloved Nancy Lynch, born October 26, 1924 in New Haven, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on May 31, 2026. She was the daughter of Hester Brite Vandervere and Donald Ross Dunkle.

She resided in El Paso most of her adult life. Her father was a United States Cavalry Officer. Nancy grew up and went to school in Marfa and El Paso, Texas, Cincinnati, Ohio and Washington, D.C. She attended college at TCU and UT Austin.

Nancy loved her Christian faith which was paramount in her everyday life. She was a woman with remarkable joy. There is no better legacy than being filled with joy from abiding in Christ. She was an accomplished pianist, a gracious hostess and gourmet cook. Nancy was a founding member of the Dedon Verde Garden Club, active in Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumnae, Jr. League of El Paso, National Society of Colonial Dames in America, Pan American Round Table, the El Paso County Historical Society, and a lifelong attendee of the Bloys Camp Meeting Association.

Nancy was blessed to be the granddaughter of Lucas Charles and Eddie Brite of Marfa, Texas. She began her ranching career at a young age and continued a lifelong love and accomplishment of her cattle ranching operation.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Dorrance D. Roderick Jr., William Cooper and Jack Lynch, her sister Jane Brite White, her son-in-law William A. Gilcrease, son-in-law Leopoldo Villareal, daughter-in-law Patricia Elaine Roderick, daughter Laura Caroline Lynch, niece Frances Roderick Barnard, nephew Bruce McCheane Barnard, III and nephew Beauregard Brite White. Nancy is survived by her children Jane Roderick Crockett (Robert), Carol Roderick Gilcrease, Dorrance D. Roderick, III (Elizabeth), Nancy Lynn Roderick Pawelka (Scott), Edward Evan Roderick, Polly Roderick O’Dorisio (Jesse), 17 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren and 2 great- great-grandchildren, her brother Michael Ross Dunkle, her nieces Mary Olga Barnard and Hester Ann White and her nephews Jim and McMinn White.

Nancy is also survived by her Lynch children: Anne Lynch, Kevin Lynch (Martha Gayle), Kathleen Lynch, Erin Lynch Dover (John), Kristina Lynch Martin (Wayne), and Peter Lynch (Raymie) and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude first to Silvia Melendez, who faithfully cared for mother for over 30 years and also to the wonderful caregivers and firemen from Station 31 who graciously came each time she called.

To have known Nancy is to have been on the receiving end of much love and adoration, for she was a constant positive influence and cheerleader to her loved ones! She loved to encourage ones in the word of God. She will be greatly missed, but we are so thankful to know that she is with her Savior Jesus Christ. “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8)

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The El Paso Rescue Mission or St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital.