Marilyn (Lyn) Broad Wightman Mayo, 85, peacefully passed away on June 16, 2024 at her beloved Woodland Pond in New Paltz, NY.
Lyn was born in Ithaca, NY to Dr. Robert H and Muriel (Lazonby) Broad on July 10, 1938. She attended Ithaca High School and Syracuse University. Following her marriage to Edward Wightman, Lyn completed her BA at the University of Rhode Island.
Upon earning her Doctorate of Education from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Lyn joined the faculty at SUNY New Paltz where she helped develop and taught in its Humanistic Education Program. It was through SUNY New Paltz that she met and married her second husband, Fred Mayo.
Subsequently, Lyn received a Masters of Social Work from Adelphi University which enabled her to open a private practice in psychotherapy. She became a faculty member and program leader for the Institute for Bioenergetic Analysis, training practitioners all over the world.
During her retirement, Lyn joined a Lifetime Learning Institute at Bard College and became inspired to bring LLI’s benefits to the New Paltz community. With the help of friends, local community leaders and SUNY New Paltz, she launched the New Paltz chapter of Lifetime Learning Institute in just two months’ time. Lyn served as its founding president.
Lyn was very involved in local meditation groups and studied under many teachers. Her commitment to her spiritual journey found expression in her 2005 book The Wave: Flowing as Essence.
Lyn is survived by her son David Wightman and his wife Shara of New Paltz, and her daughter Beth Wightman Routledge and her husband Brian of Dublin, Ireland. Her 8 grandchildren were a blessing to her: Ian Thigpen (dec), Sinjin Wightman, Aileen Routledge, Sam Weinman, Shana Routledge, Asher Weinman, Holly Routledge and Nev Wightman. She is also survived by her beloved friend and former husband Fred Mayo of New Paltz. She is predeceased by her brother Robert William Broad and sisters Linda Broad Forsyth and Anne Broad.
Lyn spent her last years as part of the Woodland Pond community. She often remarked how lucky she was to be living in such a beautiful place. The family cannot thank the staff enough for their kindness and care of Lyn.
A Celebration of Life will take place on August 3, 2024at Copeland-Hammerl Funeral Home in New Paltz. The family invites friends to join them in remembering Lyn, and perhaps sing some of her favourite songs.
The family request those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation in Lyn’s memory to:
Lifetime Learning Institute. Checks made payable to Lifetime Learning Institute can be sent to: President, Lifetime Learning Institute, PO Box 275, New Paltz, NY 12561.
Woodland Pond’s “Reward Our Valued Employee (ROVE) Fund.” Checks made payable to “Woodland Pond” with ROVE in the memo line can be mailed to: ROVE, Woodland Pond, 100 Woodland Pond Circle, New Paltz, NY 12561.
Join the family! 
