After a life and career defined by service and advocacy for others, Louise V. Bynoe died on Aug 20. She was 99.
Bynoe was born Aug. 18, 1927, in Boston. She graduated from Wilberforce University in Ohio and earned her master’s degree at Boston College School of Social Work.
Her brother Gus’ experience with polio helped shape Louise’s calling to a career in medical social work, according to her obituary. Her professional work can be seen throughout her contributions to the Family Services Association of Lawrence, the Boston Redevelopment Authority, Model Cities, the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health and the American Cancer Society, where she served as director of the William B. Price Unit. In the 1960s, she served as director of the Home Guidance Program in Washington Park, according to a previous article by the Banner.
Aside from her professional work, she was president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Alpha Omicron Sigma Chapter, now known as the Boston Alumnae Chapter, from 1956 to 1957 and stayed an active member the rest of her life, according to a letter from the chapter. She joined forces with fellow chapter members to promote mental health awareness throughout the city. Bynoe helped recruit members to the board of directors of the Fort Hill Mental Health Association and helped organize a walk to raise funds for public service projects that helped patients get to and from hospitals for treatment. The association became a grassroots organization that advocated for mental health services for Boston’s largely Black and Latino communities.
“Even though she appears to be quiet, she wasn’t,” said Cynthia Grant Carter, a past Boston Alumnae Chapter president. “She listened very intently to what you were saying and gave words of wisdom or just try to correct you in a pleasant way that you don’t feel like she’s mad or she’s upset with you.”
Away from her work and community service, Bynoe found joy in reading, playing Scrabble and cheering on Boston’s sports teams, particularly the Red Sox. She made a tradition of meeting friends for the monthly “Lunch Bunch” gatherings, had an appreciation for jazz and frequently welcomed friends and loved ones into her home for parties.
“She was the one who always had the parties, who always got the family together, and she did it for her family and our family,” said Monique Bynoe, her great-niece. “She was inclusive and always included everyone.”
Monique said Louise had taken care of her uncle for many years, which showed “how much she made family a priority.”
“I knew she was powerful in our family. She was like the quiet storm,” Monique said.
Bynoe leaves two sons, Jonathan Kevin and James; daughter-in-law Lisa; and granddaughters Jordan and Marissa.
When asked what people should remember about Bynoe, Carter recalled her emphasis on kindness.
“To always be kind to each other,” Carter said. “Because when you are being kind to each other without expecting anything in return, that kindness that you’re showing to your neighbors and other people will come back to you unexpectedly.”
“She walked in love. No, she led in love,” Monique said.