Lynnette Gaza (79)

1943-11-22 - 2023-08-14 | Sydney, Australia

Lynne (A.K.A. "Swannie") was born in Sydney, Australia to Minnie and Joseph. She attended Fort St. Girls High School. Despite leaving at age 15, she passed the entrance exam and enrolled in the nursing school at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, graduating as Valedictorian in December 1964. She moved to London in the 1960's, worked as a Private Nurse at King Edward VII Hospital for Officers and Gentlemen, serving The Prime Minister, members of The Royal Family, and other distinguished patients. Lynne then worked in Hong Kong as a medical secretary, a barmaid, a nurse at the Hilton Hotel, and eventually as Sales/Marketing Manager of eight factories that produced semiconductors, printed printed circuit boards, etc. This job sparked a fateful encounter with James Gaza, who would become her husband of 40 years. James was an engineer from Chicago, who ran International Components Corporation, or "ICC", an international manufacturing firm. They married in Tokyo where Lynne studied Japanese language and calligraphy. The couple relocated to Chicago, where Lynne worked extensively in the Chicago Public Schools: publishing yearbooks, teaching the Great Books Courses, and coaching Academic Bowl teams - winning the City Championship nine times and inspiring many students along the way. She earned a Bachelors of Science in pre-med from Loyola University Chicago, graduated cum laude, and became a member of the Jesuit Honor Society despite being an atheist. In addition to her yoga practice, Lynne became a Master Swimmer, competing in the World Games in Montreal. Additionally, she was a docent for the Chicago Architecture Foundation, served on the board of the Chicago Hearing Society, and chaired a Literature Group for the International Women Associates, or "IWA". She served as President of IWA from 2005-2007. Lynne performed voice overs, and in several plays in theaters in Chicago. She began flying between Chicago and LA where she performed in student films and small indie films. She spent a summer at BADA in Oxford, and another summer at the LA Academy. Eventually she appeared in soap operas, television shows and movies. One of Lynne's greatest passions was travel, and she visited more than 80 countries, and every single continent. She was extremely social and adventurous, going on safaris, learning different languages, and meeting people from all walks of life. Lynne passed away on August 14, 2023, she is survived by her children, Michelle and Jonathan; her daughter-in-law, Kristine; her grandchildren, Malakai and Janaia; as well as cousins in Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, and a circle of friends around the world.