In Loving Memory of Lynn Meinke

Lynn Meinke was one of my first instructors at ILCT and even though she rightly failed me on my first Core Comp exam, we became close friends and colleagues. Whenever I had questions about coaching (as well as the political environment) I called Lynn for long, wonderful talks. She embodied coaching in all she did and it is not hyperbole to say that ILCT would probably never be the strong, excellent program that it is without her influence.

As Pat Williams, ILCT’s founder, recounted “Lynn and I first met in 1998 at a conference in Orlando for therapists and counselors who wanted to gain more freedom in their practice and get off managed care constraints. After sharing how I was moving from therapy to coaching, 5 people in that audience asked me to start a group to discuss and Lynn was one. We met by telephone conference, which was the beginning of the curriculum for ILCT. We even went to Istanbul, Turkey as I asked Lynn to co-teach with me there. She went on to return to Turkey multiple times, running ILCT Turkey with her dear friend Esra Aksüyek. Lynn was a great teacher with professionalism, encouragement, and humor. Our ILCT students loved her.” Many students over the years commented on her wisdom, as an exemplary instructor, an absolutely inspiring, wise and life changing teacher. As one student wrote after hearing about Lynn’s passing “The tears are flowing… I loved learning from her, working with her and knowing her - and I will miss her deeply."

As Lynn said, she and her husband Fred were married “forever, or just since yesterday” depending on one’s approach to life. They had 3 children and many, many grandchildren that she bragged about as they achieved new heights each year. Being surrounded by them was one of Lynn’s greatest joys.

Lynn passed away last week surrounded by family. She will be so deeply missed by so many who knew and loved her.

-Ellen

If you wish to express your sympathy through giving, Lynn and her family have requested memorial donations be sent in her name to Project Linus.