Lynne Bergman died July 20, 2026.
Lynne was born July 26, 1954, and grew up in Bayside, Queens, New York. Her childhood was a very difficult one, and it turned her into a survivor. These experiences started a lifelong passion for helping others in need.
In 1970, Lynne met Craig – most often known as “Berg” – at a dude ranch where he was working as a wrangler. It was definitely not love at first sight, but Berg did not give up. After a couple of months, they got together and were married on December 12th,1971. They were truly hoping to reach their 55th anniversary; it just wasn’t meant to be.
Lynne supported Berg throughout his 37-year career in the Air Force, through multiple wars and deployments, and raised two beautiful, accomplished children: Daniel and Rachel. Rachel met her wonderful husband, Chris, giving Lynne and Berg a second son, NEVER a son-in-law. With the addition of their two incredible grandchildren, Aubrey and Brendan, and grand-puppy, Toby, their family was complete. They considered themselves very fortunate to have almost everyone less than a mile away, with Daniel – now in Colorado – visiting often to spend precious time with his family.
Throughout her life, Lynne was dedicated to helping others, both in her local community and internationally.
While Berg was stationed in Alamogordo, New Mexico, Lynne joined and ultimately became President of the local chapter of Birthright. This organization offered pregnant women an opportunity to safely carry their babies to a healthy birth, if that was their choice.
After moving to Glendale, Arizona, she became very involved in pediatric respiratory causes, due to their son Daniel being chronically ill with asthma. She created and published Calendiary, a tool to assist parents of chronically ill children with tracking symptoms, managing the illness, and facilitating communications with their doctors.
During Berg’s multiple deployments over the years, her efforts to support the squadron’s families are now legendary.
In 1987, the Bergmans moved to Tucson where, having no medical contacts or immediate resources, Lynne formed a non-profit organization named “Patients Asthma/Allergy Support System.” This organization offered resources and referral services to patients of all ages with respiratory illnesses, facilitated through a telephone hotline and community outreach.
Being a master crochet and knitting instructor, Lynne created and ran a group called Helping Hands, bringing together 20-25 crocheters and knitters at various locations around Tucson. The majority of items made by these talented folks were donated to various charities in the community.
While Berg was on active duty, Lynne was part of a nationally coordinated group that provided handmade helmet liners, gloves, foot warmers, scarves, and watch caps to those deployed overseas, helping to keep the soldiers, sailors and airmen warm on cold nights spent away from their families.
Besides personally donating hundreds of items to local women’s shelters, Lynne also served as an administrator for the Pink Slipper Project, a national organization that enlisted volunteers to provide handmade slippers, washcloths, and more to support families in domestic abuse shelters throughout the United States. Craft supplies were also provided to the residents of these facilities. Shelters that accepted dogs also received handmade crate blankets.
Lynne also served as an administrator for an international organization supporting people with the incredibly painful and debilitating disease called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, or CRPS. Conversations had via email, text, and phone calls were a critical part of the support being provided. This was very important to Lynne, who also suffered from this condition. Over the years, Lynne even worked with and saved the lives of five people contemplating suicide because of the excruciating pain they experienced associated with CRPS.
As important as service was to Lynne, her top priority was always family; spending time with Berg, her children, and grandchildren. Lynne was fortunate enough to be a stay-at-home mom while the kids were in school, always wanting to be there to greet them at the end of the day. She volunteered in classrooms, was at one time a lunch lady, and was always available to pick them up when they were younger. She also became a second mom to many of Rachel’s friends over the years, some of whom are here today.
One of her greatest joys in life were her grandchildren. Lynne and Berg helped take care of Aubrey and Brendan while Rachel and Chris worked; they were actually the only babysitters the kids ever had. Of course, Lynne saved all the best craft projects to share with them, as well as gardening, baking, and reading stories to each other. And she loved every minute of it! She was absolutely the best grandma there ever was.
Daniel firmly believes Lynne was one of the greatest influences in his life, helping him become who he is today. There were many nights they would be up late, arguing about one topic or another – much to Berg’s annoyance – but he will forever cherish those times together.
Lynne wore her heart on her sleeve, always seeking new ways to help those in need. She leaves a hole that can never be completely filled, with her love and caring affecting thousands of people, across the globe.
