Jane Schrader Lynch dedicated a lifetime of service to Warminster residents, especially members of the Centennial School District community.
Lynch died on January 3, leaving behind a legacy of intention and reaching across the political aisle to do what was best for kids and families during her long career in local politics.
Centennial School District posted a memorial tribute to Lynch on its website. Her obituary may be foundhere.
A wife, mother and grandmother, Lynch was a Centennial school board member for 18 years and won re-election to the board in November as a Republican running on the Democratic ticket. She was a former Warminster Township supervisor and served on many other civic boards and organizations.
At Centennial’s December reorganizational meeting, Lynch was sworn in to another four-year school board term by Warminster Magisterial Justice Christopher O’Neill.
“The passing of Mrs. Lynch leaves a large void in the community. I had the privilege of swearing in Mrs. Lynch for the Centennial School Board reorganization. Mrs. Lynch was a dedicated public servant for decades serving Warminster Township and the Centennial School District. Her dedication, knowledge and passion for the children in our school district will be missed,” O’Neill said in an email.
Lynch was married for 65 years to the late James R. Lynch, who died in 2024.
A long-time Republican, Lynch was known for her no-nonsense style, outspoken views and ability to work with Democrats to get the district’s business done. She was a fierce supporter and advocate for public education, Centennial students, families and community members.
“There was only one Jane Schrader Lynch, and if I were to say that to my friends in our community across political divides, I bet it would get a smile out of them.” – Democratic Centennial School Board Director Tony Sadowski
Lynch voted on board policies – from school budgets and taxes to the appointment of top administrative officials – prioritizing students’ welfare and educational needs.
“Jane has been a friend of mine for many years. She was a true asset to Warminster having been involved in more organizations than I can recall,” said Republican Charley Martin, a former Bucks County Commissioner, Warminster resident and current Centennial school board member.
“As a role model to women, [Jane was] elected as the first female [Warminster Township] supervisor and later chairman. One of her passions was education, as evidenced by her years of service on the Centennial School Board … she was known for being feisty and direct and you always knew where she stood, usually displaying great common sense. She will be remembered as a person who cared deeply and acted on the things she believed in,” Martin said in an email.
Centennial School Board Director Tony Sadowski, a Democrat, said in an email Lynch likely gave her volunteer energy and time in “countless ways we’ll never know of” beyond her public facing service.
“Jane lived to give, offering as much as she could to make our community and schools stronger. She cared deeply about children, and her 18 years (and multiple presidencies) as a Centennial School board director certainly speaks to that. I don’t know anyone who didn’t respect Jane,” Sadowski said.
He listed among Lynch’s attributes strong guiding principles, honesty and her “tenacious” defense of those in need of a champion.
“Even when she disagreed with you, Jane was respectful and didn’t stoop to insults or petty political grandstanding,” Sadowski said.
“Jane told it like it was, and I know I’ll never forget how she afforded everyone the same respect, regardless of background or party. One of my favorite things about her was that she wasn’t an ‘us versus them’ politician. She ran to serve fairly, not to serve a party or agenda,” Sadowski added.
Sadowski said Lynch’s wealth of experience on the school board – and in local public service – will be hard to replace.
“That kind of institutional knowledge and the instincts one develops in those roles is earned the hard way. There was only one Jane Schrader Lynch, and if I were to say that to my friends in our community across political divides, I bet it would get a smile out of them,” Sadowski said.
“She will be remembered as a person who cared deeply and acted on the things she believed in.” – Republican Centennial School Board Director Charley Martin
He noted while Lynch can’t be replaced he hopes her life of service and dedication to the community inspires others to “follow in her footsteps.”
Democratic state Rep. Brian Munroe (PA-144) said in an email Lynch dedicated decades to support local students and residents.
“Jane left an indelible mark on Warminster. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, ‘The world belongs to the energetic’ – which seems a fitting tribute to a woman whose lifelong energy helped shape our community,” Munroe said.
Nancy Pontius, a Warminster community member and student advocate, said when she met Lynch four years ago Lynch was school board president; serving with a Democratic vice president and secretary.
“She was a force to be reckoned with,” Pontius said in an email. “If you were a school board member voting against students’ interests, she called you out on it vehemently.”
Pontius added if Lynch saw the public unduly “lambasting” board directors, she came to their defense, too.
Centennial School Board member and Republican Flemming Godiksen said in an email Lynch would be remembered for her long-time public service, “unwavering engagement and endless time [of] service the Warminster community. We will miss her leadership and expertise with the history of the district.”
