Lynn Beth Rakofsky Delisse

Lynn Beth Rakofsky DeLisse, 70, of Plano, Texas, passed away on December 12, 2024. She will be remembered for her heart of gold, laughter, sharp wit, and unshakable love for family and friends. Lynn’s life was a testament to kindness, generosity, resilience and connection.

Born on February 15, 1954, in Lewiston, Maine, Lynn was the oldest child of Al and Babs Rakofsky. Her early years in New England, along with her later visits for family events, kept her deeply connected to her family roots. She grew up alongside her beloved siblings, Steve, Paul, and Jo, sharing a childhood filled with love and laughter. Her family eventually moved to Richardson, Texas, where she graduated from Richardson High School in 1972. At the end of her junior year of high school, Lynn met her adored husband, Dennis DeLisse, Jr.; and for the rest of her life, he was the center of her world. They married on July 21, 1973, embarking on a 51-year journey of love and partnership. Together, they raised two cherished children, Amy and Adam. Over the years, their family moved from Lubbock, TX, to Tulsa, OK, and then back to Richardson and Plano, TX, where they lived for more than four decades.

Lynn was a loving mother and grandmother. Her devotion to her children was unwavering, and she took pride in being involved in her children’s lives and activities, including choreographing dances for her daughter’s choir, and being a “band mom” for her son’s marching band. As a grandmother, Lynn was a source of fun, warmth and comfort. She treasured her role as "Grandma" to Michael, Audrey, Zoe and Jade, creating a special bond with each grandchild that was filled with laughter, stories, and an abundance of love. She took delight in watching them grow up, and she traveled widely to celebrate all their many successes and milestones.

Her love for family extended far beyond her immediate relatives. She was the glue that held her extended family together, organizing reunions and celebrations for anniversaries and birthdays. Her dedication to her chosen “adopted” family of friends was equally profound, fostering lifelong connections that spanned decades and distances.

Lynn’s first career was as an administrative assistant, in industries ranging from oil and gas to commercial property management. Later, she pursued her passion for interior decorating, eventually owning her own business with Decorating Den. Her eye for design brought beauty and comfort to many homes.

Her hobbies reflected her vibrant personality. She loved reading fiction novels, ice skating, shopping, sewing, crafting, researching topics that piqued her curiosity, and performing tap, jazz and ballet dancing. Her favorite things also included musical theater, lamb with mint jelly, listening to Blake Shelton songs, and sharing her husband’s love for Texas Rangers baseball.

In her later years, Lynn faced numerous health challenges, including a long battle with Parkinson’s disease and bouts with cancer and heart disease. Despite these struggles, she exhibited remarkable resilience, never letting her health define her spirit. Her ability to constantly bounce back from adversity inspired all who knew her.

Lynn’s legacy lives on through her husband, Dennis; her children Amy (DeLisse) and Nick Milton, and Adam DeLisse and Eka Masli; her grandchildren, Michael DeLisse, Audrey Milton, Zoe DeLisse, and Jade Milton; her siblings, Steve and Stephanie (Jacobson) Rakofsky, Paul and Brenda (Duerksen) Rakofsky, and Jo (Rakofsky) and Joe Braley; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, and many cherished friends whom she counted as “adopted” family members. She is also survived by her aunt Muriel (Fox) Hahn; and her uncle and aunt, James and Nella (Krieger) Hahn.

Preceding her in death are her grandparents, Jacob and Dora (Burkett) Rakofsky, and J.J. and Irma (Loeb) Hahn; parents Al Rakofsky and Babs (Hahn) Rakofsky; her uncle George Hahn; her aunt and uncle, Norma (Hahn) and Hank Weiner; her nephew, Jacob J. Rakofsky; and her precious Bichon Frisé dog, Chica.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, December 27, 2024, at 12:00 p.m., at Allen Family Funeral Options, 2112 W. Spring Creek Pkwy., Plano, TX 75023. To view service via webcast: https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/107737

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to either the Michael J. Fox Foundation https://www.michaeljfox.org/ , or the Dallas Area Parkinson Society, https://donate.daps.us/ .