Lynn Fishbaine, 89, State College, formerly of Altoona, passed away Wednesday at Juniper Village at Brookline. She was born in Altoona, the daughter of the late Joseph F. and Martha K. Cohen, founders and owners of The Young Men’s Shop in Altoona.
On July 4, 1954, two weeks after she graduated from Carnegie Tech, she married Arthur A. Fishbaine, originally from Brooklyn. They celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary in 2018, representing a little over six decades of love, respect and joy.
Lynn is survived by three sons: Steven and wife, Penni of State College, Joel and wife, Susan of Pittsburgh, and Daniel in Florida; her five beloved grandchildren: Joshua, Arielle, Gabrielle, Elana and Dylan; her sister-in-law, the wife of her late brother Joel, Susan Cohen; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
From an early age, Lynn studied dance, and she often appeared in Altoona High School musical performances. Also, as a pianist, she accompanied the Senior High Octet. She was an avid reader and library patron. Returning to Altoona, after a 14-year absence, she recognized a critical need for additional funding for the library and undertook the daunting task of founding and serving as first President of Friends of the Altoona Area Public Library.
Lynn strove for perfection in everything she did, evident in her large body of oil paintings. Mostly self-taught, many of her works appeared in juried exhibitions and now hang in collections throughout the country. Her love for flowers was reflected every spring in the gardens blooming around her house and in many of her canvasses.
Along with her husband, Lynn enjoyed foreign travel, visiting more than 20 countries, always on the alert for venues that offered music, from jazz to classical, and opportunities to dance as long as her partners would last.
She was a lifetime member of Hadassah, Agudath Achim Synagogue and Friends of the Altoona Area Public Library and an ardent supporter of the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art and the Altoona Symphony.
A private service will be held at the convenience of the family.
Arrangements are provided by the E. Merrill Smith Funeral Home, 2309 Broad Ave., Altoona.
The family requests that contributions be made in her memory to: The American Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave. Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or online: act.alz.org/site/donations.
Condolences may be made at www.stevens
familyfuneralhomes.com or Stevens Family Funeral Homes Facebook.
