Lynda Mae Howell (Maben), born February 4, 1954, to
Helen Francis Maben (Tinnin) and George Martin
Maben, passed away on March 22 in her beloved home
in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Lynda lived most of her life in the Flagstaff area, having
lived briefly in Pasadena, California after graduating
from Coconino High School. After returning to
Flagstaff, she began to take beautician classes while
working the nightshift at Gore. In 1974, she gave birth to her first daughter, Heleana Mae
Burritt (Maben).
In 1975, Lynda bought her first salon, the Scissor Smiths. After nine successful years, and
seeking a change of scenery, she sold her business to spend the summer working as the
cook at Babbitt Ranch. Lynda and Babbitt Ranch Manager Bill Howell quickly fell for each
other and would go on to marry in October 1985. A year later, Lynda had her second
daughter, Patricia Anne Smith (Howell). In 1990 she bought her second shop, One Better in
downtown Flagstaff. In addition to her salon, she often worked with Bill on their ranch,
Badly Scattered, running around 1,000 head of cattle. In 2001 she opened Armstrong
McCall, a beauty supply distributor serving northern Arizona.
Lynda loved her family with all her heart. She also adored animals and had a fondness for
dogs and horses, including her dog Chappo, who was her favorite of all her pets. She had
many talents including cooking and sewing. She loved her home but also had an
adventurous spirit, traveling with her daughters around the United States and to Mexico,
Europe, and the Middle East.
Lynda is survived by her three siblings, George Maben, Janet Howell, and David Maben as
well as her two daughters and their husbands Jeff Burritt and Will Smith, and four
grandchildren, Abigail Mae Burritt, Cutter Smith, Reinie Smith, and Ryder Smith.
She will be missed tremendously.
A private memorial will be held.