Hudson River Audubon Society

Lynn Shaw died on September 21, 2024. Her death is a great loss for us and anyone who was lucky enough to know her.

Lynn was a member of the Hudson River Audubon Society for over twenty five years. She was the Director of Programming, organizer of the Art Show and the Annual Luncheon. Her work was much appreciated, but really, her spirit was what we treasured most. She brought us together, she welcomed newcomers, she arranged events that got us to know each other better. Lynn was a part of everything that Hudson River Audubon did, bird walks, Feeder Watches, fundraisers, NY State Audubon Council meetings, you name it. She was a volunteer you could count on.

Lynn was born in 1935, in Washington Heights, Manhattan. She graduated from Hunter College; she married, had two daughters. When her oldest was 3 she organized a nursery school for the apartment complex in Riverdale, where she was living. Teaching young children was her life’s calling. She was a pre-school educator until she retired as director of the Riverdale Presbyterian Church Nursery School in 1998.

A friend was responsible for introducing her to the Hudson River Audubon Society. She hadn’t been particularly interested in birds before, but Lynn’s intellectual curiosity was far ranging and her delight was enormous sharing an interest in birds & the natural world with us.

Lynn inspired others in her family to become teachers. Susan Delanty (daughter) and Christina Kearney (granddaughter) both teach at Horace Mann. Her daughter Renee worked for years at PS 81 until she passed away in 2019. Her family circle was close-knit and loving: Susan and her children: Heather, Gavin and Jason Delahanty; their father Timothy Delanty; Renee’s daughter Christina Kearney; Lynn’s brother Bruce Ditzion and his wife, Joan. Heather’s recent marriage to Taylor Pratt brought Lynn much joy in her last days.

A Bench at Lenoir

Many have asked what they could do to honor Lynn’s memory. Her family thought a bench at Lenoir would have pleased her. We couldn’t agree more. We are starting a fund to place one there. If you wish to contribute, send a check to HRAS, P O Box 616, Yonkers, NY 10703. Write: for Lynn in “memo.” You may also contribute through PayPal; note “for Lynn.”