Lynn Mercer Armbruster

Lynn Mercer (Smock) Armbruster, 78, of Boulder, Colorado, passed away peacefully at home on April 29, 2023, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on October 10, 1944, Lynn spent her childhood in Paoli, Indiana before her family relocated to Plainfield, Indiana. In 1962, she graduated from Plainfield High School with honors and was a varsity cheerleader – an experience that sparked her lifelong interest in Indiana basketball.

In 1966, Lynn graduated from Indiana University with honors and a bachelor’s degree in early education. A member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, she was actively involved in organizing the university’s famous Little 500 bicycle race. Her leadership earned her a seat on the Indiana University Student Foundation Steering Committee, and at graduation, the Indiana University Foundation presented Lynn with the 1966 Award of Excellence for outstanding and dedicated service to the campus community.

Lynn spent the next decade traveling the country where she worked in a variety of interesting jobs. Her fondest memories of this time were the years she lived in Boston and worked at the Harvard Coop Bookstore.

In the 1970s, Lynn relocated to Aurora, Illinois where she taught fourth and fifth grades in a school with a progressive learning environment. Together with her colleagues, she helped develop the curriculum that was used by the district for many years. In addition to teaching, Lynn brought her love of the arts to her box office job at the Paramount Theatre in downtown Aurora.

During her time in Aurora, Lynn met the love of her life and husband of 35 years, John Armbruster. The couple was married in Boulder, Colorado on October 14, 1978, and settled in Yorkville, Illinois where they raised their daughters, Kate and Anne, and several beloved dogs. Over the years, Lynn was active in the community, loved spending time with friends in the “salon group,” was an award-winning amateur photographer, and enjoyed traveling. Her teaching and committee background was put to good use when she and John served on the executive steering committee for the Culver Academies Parent Association.

A few years after John’s passing in 2014, Lynn relocated to Boulder, Colorado to enjoy the mountain views and be closer to family. She is survived by two daughters, Kate (Brian) Moore of Sugar Grove, Illinois; Anne (Dave) Tamkin of Boulder, Colorado; three siblings, Bob Smock; Jan (Gary) Thomas; Jim Smock; one brother-in-law, Jim (Lynn) Armbruster; and seven nieces and nephews, Kristian (Mira) Smock; Margaret Smock; Andrew Smock; JKimberly (Doug) Bentz; Stephanie Armbruster; Jake (Ana) Armbruster; and Abbie (Jon) Winfrey.

Lynn was preceded in death by her husband, John Armbruster; mother, Margaret Smock; father Robert Smock; and two nephews, Dayton Thomas; and Nathan Armbruster.

Per Lynn’s wishes, no funeral services will be held at this time. The family plans to host a memorial open house in Illinois in early June.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bounce Animal Rescue, one of Lynn’s favorite Colorado-based organizations.