Remembering Lynne Greco
Longtime education and Pelham Gardens resident dies at 72
BY JASON COHEN
Lynne Greco never had
children of her own but impacted
thousands of students
as an educator over the course
of her 45 year career. Sadly,
Greco passed away on Nov. 27
at the age of 72.
Greco, a former 25 Infl uential
Women recipient, began
her career at Our Lady
of Mount Carmel in Belmont,
taught briefl y at P.S. 89 and
spent 30 years at P.S. 83 in
Morris Park. She was born in
Pelham Bay and settled in Pelham
Gardens with her husband
Robert.
She wrote, produced and
choreographed musicals at the
school and was beloved by her
students. In fact, one of her former
students was Councilman
Mark Gjonaj.
“She was a sounding board
for me and I was a sounding
board for her,” said Joanne Rubino,
a former colleague and
close friend. “I miss her terribly
and it’s a shock that she’s
gone.
They met in 2006 and became
instant friends. They
spoke often, spent time together
socially, loved the Beatles,
attended every Beatles fest
and then retired in 2016.
According to Rubino, Greco
was “kind, never had a bad
thing to say about anybody
and was very loving towards
her students.”
Rubino recalled that the
fi rst time they met it was like
they “knew each other in another
life.” She told the Bronx
Times they felt like sisters and
understood each other quite
well, not only because they
were educators but due to the
fact that they were both only
children.
Rubino said that her friend’s
death was not easy on her or
anyone in the school. Rubino
noted that if there wasn’t an
ongoing pandemic, the amount
of people at her funeral would
be “a fi re hazard.”
“Students felt they could
talk to her about anything,”
she said.
BRONX TIMES R 6 EPORTER, DECEMBER 18-24, 2020 BTR
Among Greco’s many passions
were traveling and bowling
at the now shuttered Van
Nest Lanes. Mary-Ann Gorman,
who worked with her at
P.S. 83, was a close friend and a
10 year traveling companion.
The ladies vacationed together
every year since 2011
and went to places like France,
England, Germany, the Caribbean,
Bermuda, Hungary, Portugal
and Italy.
It was hard for Gorman to
speak about her friend in the
past tense.
“She was extremely easy
to be with,” she said. “She was
the sweetest, kindest person
you would ever want to meet.
I am going to miss her very
much.”
Many have expressed remorse
on social media.
“Lynne was the sweetest,
most caring teacher, co-worker
and friend,” said Laurie Israel.
“I loved working with her.
She even made teaching after
school fun. Lynne, I will miss
you. Rest in peace, my friend.”
Lynne Greco (left) with Mary-Ann Gorman on one of their vacations.
Courtesy of Mary-Ann Gorman
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