Obituary of Lynnette D. Sproch

Lynnette DeMartino Sproch, 72, died on March 10, 2025 at Sussman House in Rockport, encircled by her closest loved ones. She was diagnosed with glioblastoma in January, an aggressive brain cancer.

Lynnette was born in Philadelphia on February 16^th, 1953, the second of five children, to Francis and Fredonna DeMartino. Her childhood was shaped by her Italian family and neighborhood. Lynnette’s father was an artist who taught high school woodshop, and her mother was a homemaker. They moved to Maple Shade, NJ when Lynnette was seven.

Lynnette attended Catholic school through 8th grade, another formative experience, and then public high school – Merchantville High, Class of ‘71. She and her friends attended nearly every high school reunion since then, including one in 2022. She graduated from Glassboro State University (now Rowan), where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in visual arts and education. She went on to become both a practicing artist - working through an evolution of pencil, oil, watercolor, collage, clay, stone, and metal - and a public school art teacher.

In 1977, she married Richard M. Sproch, Jr. of Haddonfield, NJ, and they had a profound, beautiful, and symbiotic journey through 34 years of marriage until his passing in 2012. They had two children: Emily (1979) and Laura (1983). Anyone who knew this foursome understood the delight they took in being a family and everything that entails. Rich and Lynnette shared an unparalleled passion for parenthood that they passed down to both of their daughters, and an incredible knack for making life on a tight budget feel very grand. Every day as a mother was an adventure filled with imagination and pretend, school projects, performances, family dinners, charades, and campfire songs. She absolutely reveled in motherhood, and later, in grammy-hood.

In 1991, Lynnette and Rich achieved their ultimate dream: moving their daughters to their beloved Belfast where they could raise their family in a small community and with everything Maine has to offer. Lynnette joined the Belfast arts scene and became a member of Artfellows, a cooperative art gallery on Main Street. She also had a studio in the “red and white building” and provided classes to many of Belfast’s children and adults, some of which are now professional artists themselves. Through the years, she created several murals and works of public art around town, and she was an art teacher at both the Troy A. Howard Middle School and the Belfast Area High School. Up until her death, she was still commenting on the many students she loved and on how she had had the best job in the world.

Every task was an opportunity for Lynnette to express her creativity - every snowstorm, a chance to create a snow sculpture; every Christmas, an occasion to create a holiday card masterpiece. She never followed recipes or instructions and did not subscribe to the belief that there was a “right way” to do anything – just another opportunity for invention. She was an avid reader, with books strewn all over her house and bed; she never met a yard sale she didn’t stop for; and she prioritized saving up for travel - most recently fulfilling a dream of going to South Africa just last year. When faced with personal adversity, she fought continuously to move forward and live with joy, and she was notoriously generous when she met others facing hardship or suffering. She also had an infamous sense of humor.

She met her partner, Allan Nawrot, in 2021 while buying oatmeal at Ocean State Job Lot. Their immediate spark manifested in a love they both enjoyed tremendously for the past three years. Allan ultimately fulfilled one of the most important roles in Lynnette’s life: shepherding her through the challenges of her illness with unlimited supplies of gentleness and determination.

She had several devoted groups of loved ones. She met her dear Denise in Franklinville, NJ in the early 1980s, and, since then, they’ve weathered children, spouses, death, and aging over approximately 1 million cups of coffee around kitchen tables and campfires. She remained very close with her childhood friends – the legendary Peggy McDonnell and Patti Austin, with whom she shared the memories of coming of age in the 1960s and ‘70s. She had a close, loving circle of Maine friends: a group of women with whom she raised her children alongside; the dedicated and loyal Cory, who made sure Lynnette always had everything she needed; and her special “Motley Crew”– Carol, Linda, and James. She was embraced wholeheartedly by Rich’s family, with her in-laws becoming an instrumental part of her life. And she never laughed as hard as she did as when she was with her four siblings.

She is survived by her daughters, Emily and Laura Sproch; her sons-in-law, Nick Cotz and Will Gayle; and her four adored grandchildren, Richard and Timothy Cotz (11, 7) and Winston and Beatrix Gayle (7, 3). She is also survived by her loving partner, Allan; her sister Doris; her brothers Frankie and Jimmy; her mother-in-law Toby; a long list of nieces, nephews, and sisters- and brothers-in law; her dear, sweet friends; and her strong-willed cat, Theo. She is joining her beloved husband Richard; her baby brother Donny; her father and mother; her father-in-law Richard Sproch, Sr.; her dear friend Tim; and her favorite aunt, Meena.

Lynnette’s Memorial Service will take place at Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Ave, Belfast on Saturday, March 15^th at 1:00 PM, followed by a reception at Waterfall Arts. All are welcome to attend. Questions can be addressed to Emily at 917.968.4317 or at emsproch1@gmail.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Lynnette’s honor can be made to Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine or Give Directly, which provides cash transfers to global families living in poverty.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ripostafh.com