Lynne Jolly Richardson

It is with immense sadness that we share that Lynne Jolly Richardson, 68, of Lake Barrington, IL (by way of Pendleton, SC and Washington, DC), peacefully passed away and went to be with our Lord on August 1, 2024, just short of her 69th birthday. 

Surviving Lynne are her husband Kevin C. Richardson of Lake Barrington, IL; her daughter Mary Ellen Richardson of Washington, DC; her daughter Charlotte A. Richardson and her fiancé, John P. Rauber of Washington, DC; her sister Lee (Jolly) Smith and brother-in-law Scott Smith of Lexington, SC, along with many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and close friends who she considered family.

Lynne was born on August 19, 1955 in Anderson, SC. She was the daughter of the late John Louie and the late Roy Ellen (Osborne) Jolly. She was the sister of Lee (Jolly) Smith and an infant sister who she now meets in Heaven. Lynne graduated as Salutatorian from Pendleton High School and went on to earn her BA in Political Science from her beloved Clemson University and an MBA in Finance from George Washington University. Lynne was a bright, intelligent woman who always wanted to work in service of others, which brought her from South Carolina to Washington, DC, where she worked for many years in the US House of Representatives, including her service as Chief of Staff to then-Congressman Butler Derrick (D-SC).

It was in Washington, DC where Lynne met the love of her life, Kevin. Lynne and Kevin first met in a committee meeting in the U.S. Capitol and married soon thereafter on April 30, 1988. Married for 36 years, Lynne and Kevin built a beautiful life together with love and laughter in every step. They lived their early married life in Washington, DC before moving their family to Illinois and establishing their home in Lake Barrington, IL in 1997. Lynne was a devout Methodist and worshiped and worked for over 20 years at the Barrington United Methodist Church (BUMC) as the finance director.

Lynne’s daughters Mary Ellen and Charlotte were the pride and joy of her life. She loved watching the two of them make their way in the world, following in her remarkable footsteps with each earning a postgraduate degree and establishing successful careers in Washington, DC. She was immensely devoted to her daughters and enjoyed both celebrating their many milestones and creating many family memories together. She was especially thrilled to meet and welcome her soon-to-be son-in-law, John, to the family. Lynne was grateful to have a remarkable sister in Lee who she was able to share every moment with and experience the special bond found only between sisters.

Lynne was an avid gardener, puzzler, beach enthusiast, reader, world traveler and church and community member. She cherished her many life-long friends and family members from all parts of her life, including those from her childhood in South Carolina, her life on Capitol Hill, her life in the Barrington Community, her marriage to Kevin and his family and life-long friends, as well as all of her supportive and kind neighbors who touched all of her family’s and her lives.

She was a lover of iced tea and Clemson University and took great joy in the many football weekends spent at her childhood home “The Jolly Post.” She is forever remembered for her selflessness, kindness, empathy, independence, intelligence, self-determination and wit, and the blessed assurance she drew from her family, friends, loved ones and our Lord.

The visitation will be Friday, August 9, 2024 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Davenport Family Funeral Home, 941 S. Old Rand Road., Lake Zurich, IL 60047. Visitation will resume on Saturday, August 10, 2024 from 9:30 AM until the time of the Funeral Service and Celebration of Life at 10:00 AM at Barrington United Methodist Church, 98 Algonquin Road., Barrington, IL 60010. 

The final funeral service and burial will be on Saturday, August 17 at 10:00 AM at the Pendleton Presbyterian Church and Cemetery at 603 S. Mechanic Street, Pendleton, SC 29670 followed by fellowship at their family home “The Jolly Post” at 421 S. Mechanic Street, Pendleton SC 29670.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation in Lynne’s name to the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association online: https://4hcm.org/donate/ or to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and its Global Ministries mission online: https://umcmission.org/give/.