Lynne (Scharfman) Brill

Lynne Brill passed away peacefully at her home on August 28th after a long illness. She was 76. Born and raised in Albany, New York, Lynne followed in the footsteps of her mother and grandmother by attending Smith College. After graduating, she moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she met her husband-to-be, Jonathan Brill, in 1970, beginning a loving, lifelong partnership of 55 years. Early in their careers, both worked closely with young children, an experience that awakened Lynne’s calling and shaped the course of her life’s work. In 1976, Lynne and Jonathan settled in the Pioneer Valley, where she became director of Sunnyside, Smith College’s Early Childhood Center. She held that role for a decade before serving as director of the Hampshire College Early Education Center for more than twenty years. Across her career, Lynne guided countless children and families with wisdom, warmth and grace. She had an extraordinary gift for recognizing and celebrating the individuality of each child, while offering steady support to parents and colleagues alike. A devoted mentor, she encouraged her teachers with patience and kindness, fostering a rich and creative environment where everyone felt safe, supported and loved. Music was woven deeply into Lynne’s life and work. At her work, “music day” became a beloved tradition. She would sit with her guitar, surrounded by children from infants to preschoolers and fill the room with song. Beyond her professional life, Lynne’s passion for music flourished over four decades of singing with ensembles including the Springfield Symphony Chorus, the Hartford Symphony Chorale and Northampton’s Rock Voices. Her joyful spirit and radiant enthusiasm could be heard in every note she sang and seen in the deep friendships she formed within her musical communities. Lynne carried that same spirit into her social world. She delighted in connecting with others and brought light and energy to all her relationships. As one friend shared, “Lynne spread her love just by being in the presence of other people— no words needed.” This led to many deep, lifelong friendships. Above all, Lynne cherished her family. She leaves behind her beloved husband Jonathan, her son Eli, daughter-in-law Justyn and granddaughter Ella, who adored her “Lily” and the special bond they shared. She is also survived by her sisters, Wendy Scharfman and her partner Tom Blatner, and Susan Scharfman and her husband Geoffrey Pagen, as well as, nieces and nephews Jamie, Jaime, Kolton & Ethan. Lynne’s legacy lives on in the generations of children she nurtured, the colleagues and friends she inspired and the family she so dearly loved. 

There will be a graveside burial service for family and friends on Monday, September 8th at 11:00 am at Wildwood Cemetery in Amherst. A celebration of Lynne's life will be planned at a future date.