Lynne Staver

Lynne Staver, 64, of Naples passed away peacefully on April 11, 2018, with loved ones by her side.
She was born to the late Preble and Isabell Staver (Whitney) in Alexandria, Virginia, on December 30, 1953. She and her family moved to Naples, Florida in 1968, “before there was even a McDonald’s,” Lynne would reminisce. She graduated from Naples High School in 1972 and received an AA degree in fashion merchandising from Prospect Hall College in Ft Lauderdale.

After trying out Gainesville and Daytona Beach, Lynne settled back again in her beloved Naples and found her dream career of marketing for nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Lynne’s bubbly personality and kindness made her successful in her work. She loved her residents, and would continue to visit her “old friends” long after they’d signed on the dotted line. Over the years, Lynne eased the transition to senior living for hundreds of Naples residents at Lely Palms, Aston Gardens and Barrington Terrace.

Lynne’s greatest accomplishments were her friendships. If you are reading this with tears in your eyes, you are one of her accomplishments. She loved making new friends, and even more, loved staying in touch with old friends. She sent funny, personalized Christmas cards, long after most people had stopped bothering, to far-flung friends and family. She loved long phone calls – she never met a side story she didn’t like. Lynne was aware of her tendency to talk a lot, and long ago, she suggested that her obituary state, “Lynne Staver has finally stopped talking.”

She loved jokes, always saving and exchanging them, especially with her father. She loved her hometown of Naples, and loved sharing stories about it from the past 50 years, including the Naples High School football field named for her brother. She loved her two cats, Gracie and Lucky. And most of all, she loved her boyfriend of 30 years, Mike Ohland.

The last 22 years gave Lynne the biggest challenge of her life: fighting cancer. Through multiple doctors, surgeries and hospital visits, Lynne’s good humor made her yet more new friends in doctors, nurses and aides. While her struggle was hard, she faced it with bravery and laughter on most days.

Lynne is predeceased by her brothers Peter and Whitney, and her parents Isabell and Preble. She is survived by Mike, and her sisters Leslie (Mary) and Laurie, as well as nieces and nephews: Cindy (Sean), Whitney (Tsia), Viki, Eleanor, Jordan, Peter and Kennedy.

A celebration of Lynne’s life will be held May 12th, from 2:30 to 5:00, at Naples Beach Club. She will be the life of the party one more time.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to cancer research charities.