GULF STREAM — Lynda Scheerer Stokes of Gulf Stream and East Hampton, New York, died June 21. She was 95.
The eldest of Paul and Gladys Scheerer’s three children, Lynda was born on Nov. 13, 1925, and raised in Llewellyn Park, New Jersey. She graduated from the Ethel Walker School in Simsbury, Connecticut, later becoming a fixture on the Bromley ski slopes in Vermont and joining the ski patrol.
She married John William Tiernan in 1949 and moved with him to Delray Beach in 1954 to raise their family. When her husband died in 1973, she became CEO and chairwoman of the board at Mark, Fore & Strike, the resort wear chain that was a family business. Under her leadership, the company doubled its revenues and launched a direct-to-consumer catalog that would sustain it for years to come.
In 1974 she married Alexander Coxe Stokes of Philadelphia and lived with him there and in Gulf Stream until his death in 1997. Notably, both her husbands were recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross for their service in World War II.
Mrs. Stokes was an avid golfer and won multiple club championships spanning five decades at clubs in Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Florida. She had the distinction of shooting her age well into her 80s, and of having beaten both her mother and her daughter in a club final.
Additionally, Mrs. Stokes — who also went by Stumpy, Auntie Car and Gaga — was a highly competitive tennis player, an outstanding bridge player and an absolute shark at backgammon. She was very passionate about family values, love for her country and the dignity of work. She adored her friends, her family and an occasional drink called the “hummer.”
Mrs. Stokes was predeceased by her two husbands, her sister Mary Babcock and her son William Scott Tiernan. She is survived by her brother Paul R. Scheerer Jr., her son Michael Tiernan, her two daughters, Ann Purcell (Kim) Tiernan and Martha Tiernan Ely, her stepdaughter, Sandra Stokes, 10 grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren.
In her last days she was surrounded by her family, loving caregivers, and a motley crew of beloved characters only she could assemble. She was spirited and resilient until the end.
In lieu of flowers contributions would be appreciated to the CRC Recovery Foundation in honor of her late son, Scott. (CRC Recovery Foundation Inc., 309 NE First St., Delray Beach, FL 33483, Attn: Scott Tiernan Fund.)
- Obituary submitted by family
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