Educator and actress Lynne Pitcaithley was born in New Milford, Connecticut in 1919. As a toddler, Lynne lived with her German immigrant grandparents on Staten Island.

In 1925 her mother and step-father took her on the road to join them as itinerant actors. At the age of six, Lynne played Eva in "Uncle Tom's Cabin."

With her show troupe Lynne roamed the Deep South. At each stop Lynne enrolled in the local school for a few days, taking every opportunity to get a primary education. By day she did schoolwork, and in evenings performed. There was little time for play. Later recalling this period of life, Lynne said " had no childhood."

Lynne married fellow actor Al Pitcaithley in 1943 and settled in Carlsbad. Founding "The Little School" kindergarten, she taught and operated the school for fifteen years while pursuing her NMSU Carlsbad degree. Between her time at the kindergarten and later teaching for Eddy Elementary School, Lynne spent half a century in education. In 1993, she was recognized by Disney as one of the best teachers in America in a nationally broadcast TV special.

Over the decades, Lynne performed in dozens of leading and supporting roles with the Carlsbad Community Theatre.

In retirement, she volunteered with local animal shelter Noah's Ark and its support thrift store Cat's Meow to fund spay-&-neuter programs and to seek homes for abandoned pets. Lynne passed away in 2017 at the age of 98.