Mae (Linnihan) Bach

Mae Delores (Linnihan) Bach, died on April 16, 2018 very peacefully, at the Edgewood Centre in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2011. Mae was born November 23, 1924 in Red Lake Falls, Minnesota, seventh child of William and Josephine Linnihan, attended High School in Torrence, California and graduated in 1943. Mae worked at the shipyards in Long Beach where she met the love of her life, Everett H. Bach, a signalman first class in the Navy. They enjoyed 42 years of marriage until his passing in 1988 of cancer.

While raising two daughters in Morton Grove, Illinois, Mae attended college at Northeastern Illinois University and graduated with honors in 1962. Her first teaching position was in inner city Chicago, and often invited some of the most disadvantaged schoolchildren to experience suburban summer fun with her family at her own home. In 1970 Mae and Everett moved to Port Charlotte, Florida and continued working day jobs while enjoying a 'vacation' like lifestyle which included golfing, boating, dancing at the Elks, and several big vacations to Hawaii, Bermuda, and Mexico. Mae retired from teaching and started a second career as a realtor. She loved to plan and look forward to trips; toured Europe three times, Alaska at the age of 79, and the Caribbean at the age of 85. She enjoyed many "Bach Girls" vacations with her two daughters.

Mae survived Hurricane Charley in 2004 and though her home was ruined she displayed heroic emotional and physical strength through 17 days in August without water or electricity. She would boost her friends' spirits saying "think of the pioneers, think of what our ancestors went through, we can get through this!" To the treasured possessions she lost, she simply said "goodbye". Mae lived life with great enthusiasm and joy, she was quick to laugh and find humor in any situation, she was playful and many times mischievous, she was very organized saying many times she "had to get her head on straight" when she needed to re-establish her comfort level of orderliness. Mae was a constant seeker of knowledge and truth, and was always looking forward instead of backwards. Some of her favorite sayings I remember were "Life is what you make it" "Life is a big adventure" "We are strong German stock" "Stomach in, shoulders back, chest out", "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger", "The only way out is through". Mae was always a voracious reader, passionately interested in politics and professional golf, loved live theater, avid player of bridge and golf. She was immensely proud of her daughters and always helped her friends in need, when they were unable to do for themselves. She often volunteered to tutor school children, and made a point to make them feel smart and good about themselves! Mae was always very social, quick to make friends, and was loved by all her knew her. Mae always made the best of a bad situation, which was true to her very last minute. She displayed courage, strength, and good spirits in the face of huge challenges. She was our role model and will be eternally missed.

Those left to cherish her memory are her two daughters and sons-in-law, Cathy & Tony Fiorato of Fish Creek, WI and Cheri Bach and Roger Clum of Portsmouth, NH; her two grandchildren (Cathy & Tony's), Pam and Jim; and her great grandchildren, Madison, Cameron, Harvey, Elliott, Anthony, and Annalisa. For their great compassion and gentle caregiving, the family thanks The Edgewood Centre in Portsmouth, where Mom lived for the past several years, also Brookhaven Hospice, and Beacon Hospice who ensured comfort and dignity in her last days. Mom sends her love to friends and family in Minnesota, Illinois, Colorado, Florida, and California.

In lieu of any gifts or flowers, donations can be made to your local hospice program or family services organization. There will be no memorial service.
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