Lynn Carol (Tvrdik) Westney

Lynn Carol Westney, 73, of La Porte, IN passed away on Sunday, January 10, 2021 at Hamilton Communities in New Carlisle, IN.

Born on December 24, 1947 in Chicago IL to Joseph and Alma (Stankovitch) Tvrdik (both now deceased), Lynn lived a rich life filled with curiosity, exuberance and passion. In June 1980, she married William Homer Hattendorf, II, who preceded her in death in 1995. In August 1997, she married Robert J. Westney, who preceded her in death in 2014. Surviving are her sisters, Ellen Jo Kraemer of Wilmington, NC and Gail Ann Pawlowski of Joliet, IL; nieces, Dawn Pawlowski Sprengel of Joliet, IL, Melanie Kraemer of Seneca, SC, and Vanessa Kraemer of Castle Hayne, NC; nephew, Jack S. Pawlowski of Flower Mound, TX; great-niece, Emily Pawlowski of Flower Mound, TX; great-nephews, Jericho and Callen Sprengel of Joliet, IL and Benjamin Pawlowski of Flower Mound, TX; and stepchildren, William H. Hattendorf, III of MI and Kim Skyelander of CO.

Lynn earned the BA in Sociology from Loyola and the MS in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois at Champaign.  Lynn enjoyed a 25-year career at the University of IL at Chicago where she was a reference librarian and Associate Professor and Coordinator of Reference Collection Development. She was a member of the American Library Association, Illinois Library Association, and the American Names Society. Lynn was Editor of the Educational Rankings Annual for years 1991-2006, and wrote numerous scholarly papers, many of which she presented as a guest speaker in a variety of international locations.

Lynn loved reading about and writing about food, and enjoyed fine dining and ethnic cuisines. She was an avid rock and fossil collector, especially the Petoskey stones found along the Michigan shoreline of Lake Michigan.  She was also a passionate advocate for the protection and humane treatment of all animals, domesticated and wild.

Cremation has taken place with Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center, La Porte.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Michiana Humane Society, 722 IN Hwy 212, Michigan City, IN 46360 or Dunes-Calumet Audubon Society, 1250 Chippewa Trail, Chesterton, IN 46304.

Condolences may be shared online at www.cutlercares.com.