Jan. 27, 1945 — July 6, 2024
Lynn Shirley Oakland, age 79, formerly of Sacramento, passed away at home Saturday, July 6, 2024, in Mead, Colorado. She was surrounded by her immediate family, who were her primary caregivers in the final few weeks while she was in hospice care; as well as her longtime caretaker and friend Debbie Weatherhead. She had been in declining health for a number of years, and also battled vascular dementia for nearly nine years with extraordinary tenacity and hope for improvement.
Lynn, who was adopted from Nevada and never knew her birth family, grew up in Ashland, Oregon, and learned to be very independent and strong at a young age. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon in 1967, worked as a flight attendant for Trans International Airlines (TIA) at the time of the Vietnam War, and then built a successful career in sales as an independent contractor covering Northern California and Nevada. Lynn forged a meaningful and beautiful life for herself, building a family of her own that she was incredibly proud of.
She is survived by her husband, Veryl, of nearly 55 years (anniversary July 12); daughters Tory Oakland of Lyons, Colorado (husband, Tim McCulley) and Alexis Oakland of San Francisco, California (husband, Steve Thompson); and her granddaughters Devyn and Drew McCulley — who she loved cheering on in their run club, soccer games, and softball tournaments.
Lynn (Mom, Momo, Gwam) was treasured by her family, and she is missed as though part of our hearts were taken away. We see her in our reflections, we hear her in our voices, and we look for her now in the butterflies who visit in flight.
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