Lynn Neal

Lynn Neal Landrigan received a warm embrace into her well-earned Heavenly Reward on March 3, 2023, as she passed peacefully in her sleep, following a several years' good fight with Parkinson's and all its debilitating dimensions. Lynn was a loving wife, sister, aunt, and stepmom who will be profoundly missed. She is survived by her loving husband Mike Landrigan, and her stepsons Mark, David, and Greg of her deceased husband Richard Neal, her four nieces Holly, Robin, Heidi and Wendy of her deceased sister, Jan, many dear friends, and her precious dog Maya.

During her childhood in North Carolina, Lynn was an avid girls' summer camper . She ultimately became a counselor and swimming instructor at Camp Navarac on Saranac Lake in upstate New York.  She was an all-around sports enthusiast, always eager to join her neighborhood friends in a game of 'streetball', and at six-feet tall she was always a key player on her school basketball teams.

Lynn undertook a rigorous course of study in the sciences for her B.S. degree in Physical Education at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. She began her teaching career in North Carolina, followed by 22 years at Cleveland Middle School in Albuquerque.  Over her long teaching career, Lynn positively impacted many young lives.

Almost before she could talk, Lynn heard fiddle playing on the radio which led to her lifelong love and study of the violin. In college, she and two close friends struck chords on their baritone ukuleles, blending their voices in perfect harmony as they sang fast paced folk-tunes; they even cut a vinyl record featuring 10 of their songs. In addition to teaching, Lynn was a violinist with the Albuquerque Philharmonic Orchestra. She also had the honor of performing with the Roswell Symphony Orchestra for several years. In more relaxed and personal settings, Lynn enjoyed many afternoons playing in a Piano-Cello-Violin trio with close friends.

After retiring from teaching, Lynn touched the hearts of innumerable children and nursing home residents as she strummed her baritone ukulele and sang uplifting and joyful songs - always with one of her certified pet therapy dogs by her side. Some of her most cherished moments were bringing joy and comfort to Hospice patients during such visits.

Lynn was a lover of dogs and animals. She had mutually nurturing bonds with each of her dogs - strengthened by their long daily walks in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains.

Lynn was known for her loving kindness, compassion, and her beautiful radiant smile that could light up the room. She will be very deeply missed.

– Kind, caring, sweet, sweet Lynn, Bright Star; we celebrate your life and continually aspire toward your radiant, compassionate guiding light. Godspeed!!!

We will be holding a Celebration of Life for Lynn in a few months. Sign the guest book on Direct Funeral Services website www.directfuneralservicesabq.com and we will notify you with details. We also encourage you to leave a written remembrance of Lynn.