Ann Bach

Ann Marie Lynch Bach, passed from this world peacefully on March 24, 2023 at the age of 95. Ann was a remarkable, fun loving and fiercely independent woman who was especially proud of her family and her Irish heritage. She could always be seen “wearing the green” and celebrating with her family and friends on St. Patrick’s Day. In fact, the only thing Ann loved more than her family was all things Irish.

Ann Marie Lynch was born in Erie, Pennsylvania on January 3, 1928, the daughter of the late Daniel and Winifred “Winnie” (Williams) Lynch.

Preceding Ann in death was her husband of just 29 years, James M. Bach, Sr., in 1977. She was also preceded in death by her loving brothers, Kenneth, Lawrence, Wesley and Michael Lynch; her best friend and sister, Mary Lynch McGrath; a beloved daughter in law, Pam Bach; her sisters in law, Peg, Dorothy and Noreen Lynch and her brother in law, Jerry McGrath.

Ann married Jim Bach on August 21, 1948 at St. Ann Roman Catholic Church in Erie, PA. Together they had six children who survive, James M. Bach, Jr. (Mary) of Signal Mt., TN, Kevin V. Bach of Erie, Brian J. Bach (Peggy) of Erie, Sheila M. Blank (Tom) of Bluffton, SC, Mary D. Schreiber (Gary) of Erie and Michele A. Burke (Tom) of Waterford, PA. She is also survived by her ten grandchildren who knew her best as Gram and Grandma: Jamie and Christopher Bach, Kelly Bach Briggs, Bryan Bach, Shannon Bach Vogt, Sean Bach, Kate Bach Sabolcik, Ellen Bach-Moore, Merrill and Hannah Blank and by her seven great grandchildren, Harper H. Bach, Harper P. Bach, Caleb and Connor Vogt, Maisy and Lainey Bach, Emerson Sabolcik and one step grandson, Hunter Duke. She is further survived by her sister in law and good friend, Rachel Lynch of Denver, CO. Many nieces and nephews, cousins and dear friends also survive Ann.

Ann attended St. Ann grade school, Villa Maria Academy and Villa Maria College, earning her Bachelor degree in Education in 1949. During her high school and college years she happily worked as an elevator attendant at the much loved Boston Store in downtown Erie. Ann was always “lipstick ready” and loved to stay active. She enjoyed travel (especially twice to Ireland), walking groups at Presque Isle, the St. Jude “Round Table”, Silver Sneakers, playing golf and bowling in her younger years. An extremely giving person, Ann visited homebound family and friends quite regularly, always bringing them flowers or treats to brighten their day. Over her lifetime she volunteered her time to her church, numerous school organizations, Hospice of Erie County and the former Regional Cancer Center each Monday morning.

Widowed at a young age, Ann raised her children while maintaining ownership of a small family business in Millcreek and also teaching for many years in the Erie School District at East High, Strong Vincent and Harding schools. Devout in her Catholic faith, Ann attended daily morning mass at St. Julia or St. Jude and in recent years enjoyed attending mass at the Carmelite Monastery until its closure. She was a member of the St. Julia Roman Catholic church for more than 70 years. An extraordinary life has come full circle.

Family and friends are invited to call at Burton Quinn-Scott Funeral Home, 3801 West 26th Street, Erie, PA 16506, on Thursday, March 30, 2023 from 2 to 4 PM and 6 to 8 PM and are invited to attend Prayer Services there on Friday, March 31, 2023 at 11:30 AM, to be followed by a Funeral Mass celebrating Ann’s life at 12 Noon at St. Julia Roman Catholic Church, 638 Roslyn Avenue, Erie, PA 16505. Ann will be laid to eternal rest beside her husband, Jim, at Calvary Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the nurses and team members from Saint Vincent Hospital ICU and 8 North and also the Visiting Nurses Association of Erie County and its staff for their compassionate care during her brief illness.

 At Ann’s request, contributions may be made to St. Julia Roman Catholic Church for “Bell Restoration”, 638 Roslyn Avenue, Erie, PA 16505; The Emmaus Ministries, 345 East 9th Street, Erie, PA 16503 or to the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Northwestern PA, 5031 West Ridge Road, Erie, PA 16506.

 Leave condolences at www.burtonquinnscott.com