Signa Read

Feb. 21, 2018 - Signa Lynch Read passed away at her home in East Dorset, VT. Born in 1930, Signa was the daughter of Edmund C. Lynch, co-founder of Merrill Lynch, and Signa Fornaris. She attended Greenvale, Brearley and graduated from Madeira. After her sophomore year at Sarah Lawrence, she married Alexander D. "Sandy" Read. From 1957-59, Signa was the first female stockbroker at Clark Dodge & Co. Signa and Sandy moved to a sheep farm in Peru, VT and, after graduating from Bennington in 1978, she founded one of the country's first therapeutic riding programs. In 1987, her marriage to Sandy ended. They remarried in 2007 and had two happy years before Sandy's death in 2009. A philanthropist with interests in animal rights, the arts, the environment, education, and ending hunger, Signa was a world traveler. Her daughter Sandra Lynch Read predeceased her. She is survived by her daughter Susan Read Cronin (Edward W. Cronin) of Montecito, CA and her son Stewart Westcott Read (Dorothy Grover Read) of Bellows Falls, VT. Four grandchildren, David J. Read, Amie Guterres, A. Read Cronin and C. Wright Cronin, and five great grandchildren, Austin and Jaina Read, Leola Guterres, and Teddy and Misha Bean Cronin survive her. There will be a private service at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to The VT Food Bank. There will be a private service at the convenience of the family.