Lynne Ann McGuire

Lynne Ann McGuire passed away at her home in Paw Paw on September 25, 2020.  Lynne was a life-long resident of the area, and was the chef-owner of Bistro 120 for decades.

Lynne was a terrifying sparkplug of raw energy and impacted the Paw Paw community in innumerable ways throughout her lifetime.  She was well known for her service to the community, and her warmth and love of children.  Through her never-ending energy and leadership, Lynne shaped too many lives to count; she directed innumerable Childrens’ Theatre productions, served as the President of the Paw Paw Public Schools, and was the music director and organist at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church for decades.  In 2003, she and her husband, Wendell Meade, were recognized by the Michigan State Legislature with a Special Tribute for their contributions to the community.

Lynne’s engagement with the community extended beyond her innumerable titles and leadership roles.  Lynne helped people to grow and become better.  Whether as the Director of the Carriage House Preschool, as the demanding boss of miscreant adolescents at Bistro 120,  or as a friend who pushed everyone to be a little bit better, Lynne’s legacy is as a model of how to positively impact the lives of others.  People rarely walked away from an interaction with Lynne without being shaped (or shaken) by it.

Lynne had a problem with food.  Actually, she just loved to feed people’s bodies (through her cooking), and their souls (through her warmth and energy).  She was the Chef-Owner of Bistro 120 for 20 years, where her soups, huge portions and wonderful pies made her famous; more recently, she taught hundreds of people through her cooking classes and catering events.  There was never a time in her life when Lynne was not ready to cook for someone.  She was always quick to donate her culinary skills to support a local cause, and as many high school students will attest, if Lynne was feeding you, you had better be ready to eat!   Her children recount the horror of having to lug a lunch made by Lynne McGuire into school, as it would frequently weigh ten pounds!

Lynne was the smallest person that ever terrified many of us.  While diminutive in stature, her ceaseless energy and commitment to making a difference was an inspiration to many.  Lynne was, at heart, a teacher.  Many of the most important lessons she taught, however, were through her example:  By giving her employees at Bistro 120 Health Insurance when she didn’t have to, by making many tough decisions throughout her life, and by prioritizing spending time with her grandchildren, above all else.     In her later years, Lynne would jump on a plane at a moment’s notice to spend time with her grandchildren, who were the most precious people in the world to her.

She is survived by her loving husband, Wendell Meade; her children, Beth Warner and John Cooke, Kirk Warner and Carol Stanton, and Todd Warner and Christine Louden; Wendell’s children, Tamara and Jack Mira, James and Danielle Meade, and Todd and Melissa Meade and her most favorite group of all:  her five grandchildren (Finn and Ava Warner, Ellie Warner, and Beatrice and Oliver Cooke), and Wendell’s grandchildren (Caylyn, Briana and Tylea Mira, Hayden and Jacob Meade, and Jonah Meade, Ashlynne and Allyson.  Lynne was deeply loved and precious to too many people to list, and she will be sorely missed.  The legacy of her impact, and the lives that she shaped will shine from her example for decades to come.

As a pillar of the Paw Paw Community, there are lessons to be drawn from Lynne’s life, particularly in this era. She lived a life of incredible energy and engagement, but always with love and people in the foreground.  While Lynne’s life was defined by activity, energy, and contributions; it is her deep love and warmth that we will most miss.   A celebration of Lynne will be held in 2021, due to the pandemic; in the meantime, a Facebook page has been set up for people to recount memories, and celebrate her impact and her life: please contact her son, Todd Warner on Facebook, to access it.