It is with deep sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of Lynn Susan Beaudette, nee Hirschauer of Des Plaines who passed away on January 21, 2026, at the age of 73.

Born on July 4, 1952, Lynn grew up in Morton Grove and attended Niles West High School where she developed her passion for music and played viola in the Niles West Orchestra. She further grew her love for music while playing in orchestras at Illinois State University, Peoria, and Bloomington-Normal. Once she earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education and moved back to Chicagoland, Lynn married her high school sweetheart, Steve, and she began her decades-long career in education as a music teacher who inspired elementary school students to discover their own interests in music.

Eventually, Lynn and Steve decided she would stay home to raise their children while they were very young. However, that didn't stop her from continuing to share her passion, leadership, and talents whenever possible. Often, she volunteered her time as a room mother, led Brownies and Girl Scout troops, joined her kids on field trips, and performed musical demos in her children's classrooms. When each school year ended, Lynn filled her summers by bringing her three children to the pool, the beach, and the "Duck Park" where her best friend, Barbara, would join with her kids.

When her children grew older, Lynn was inspired to return to her original passion for teaching and growing as an educator. While teaching full-time and working part-time in a fabric store, she also attended night school and earned her master's degree in 2002 from St. Xavier University. As Lynn continued to share her expertise as a music teacher, she especially loved dedicating her time and energy within and beyond the classroom, implementing innovative ways to help her students learn about music and performance. In particular, Lynn found joy being in her element when involving her students in creating elaborate music productions for her students and school; she even took the time to hand-make dozens of costumes for the children to wear and keep! On top of that, to give students even more opportunities to experience the thrill of making music, she constructed her own dulcimers and marimbas and formed the first-ever marimba ensemble at her school.

Outside of teaching, Lynn was an accomplished crafter, seamstress, and quilter, spending many hours in her "sewing room" to create beautiful gifts and pieces we will always cherish; she made amazing costumes, dresses, and other clothing for her kids and grandkids. Eventually, she shared her artistry by selling her creations at craft shows and by teaching classes on sewing and sewing machines. With her time and skills, she also found ways to give back to local communities. Inspired by a hat given to her grandson when he was in the NICU, Lynn began knitting baby hats to donate to Lutheran General's NICU, creating dozens of beautiful, tiny treasures for all of the babies there. Similarly, during the early days of the COVID pandemic, she sewed surgical caps for healthcare workers at her daughter's place of work, hoping to alleviate the difficult times with personalized art pieces that further highlight her generosity.

Lynn was a loving wife, mother, and "Gma." She found joy in retirement when attending her grandchildren's school and sports events, and she loved creating projects, crafts, and baking with her grandchildren. In addition to her love of all things fabric and sewing, she was an avid gardner and loved to be outside, with her favorite summertime place being the beach. Lynn touched so many lives during her life, and we will all miss her beyond what words can express.

Remaining to cherish Lynn's memory are her husband of more than 50 years, Stephen; children Karin (Alfred) Velasco, Michael (the late Ethel), and Lisa (Linhhai) Nguyen; grandchildren Jeremy Binh and Wesley Bao; siblings Robert (Ruth) Hirschauer, Jeanne (the late Richard) Bricker, Larry (Jean) Hirschauer, Ronald Hirschauer, and Amy Hirschauer; along with numerous other relatives and dear friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Ruth, nee Ratzek, and sister Janice Hirschauer.

Memorial visitation at Simkins Funeral Home 6251 Dempster St. Morton Grove, IL 60053 on Friday, February 20th from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 12:00 noon. (847) 965-2500