Lynn Yamada Davis, widely recognized on social media platforms as “Cooking with Lynja,” passed away on January 1, 2024, succumbing to esophageal cancer at the age of 67.
Her son, Tim Davis, confirmed her death in a heartfelt video. Davis passed away at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, New Jersey, in the presence of her family.
Davis, a third-generation Japanese American, was born in New York City on July 31, 1956, and spent her formative years in Fort Lee, New Jersey.
After completing undergraduate studies in civil engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1977, Davis went on to acquire master’s degrees in business administration and public health from Columbia Business School.
Davis had a notable career at Bell Labs, now known as AT&T Labs, where she dedicated 29 years. Her pioneering efforts as a female engineer made a lasting impact on the field.
Her journey to becoming a social media sensation started in 2020 when she and her son Tim began producing cooking videos to help him hone his cinematography skills during the pandemic.
The mother-son venture accumulated nearly 19 million followers on TikTok, over 2 million on Instagram, and a commendable 10 million subscribers on her YouTube channel. Davis’ warm and engaging demeanor earned her the endearing title of “internet’s grandma” among her followers.
Besides her vast social media following, Davis was known for teaming up with other creators, notably Nick DiGiovanni, a former “MasterChef” finalist. In August 2022, they set a Guinness World Record for visiting the most fast-food outlets in a 24-hour span. They also crafted the World’s Largest Cake Pop and Chicken Nugget.
Even after being diagnosed with throat cancer in 2019 and esophageal cancer in 2021, Davis continued to delight her followers with her culinary skills and wit. Her son Tim intends to continue her legacy by releasing the remaining videos they made together.
Davis leaves behind her second husband, Keith Davis; her children, Tim and Sean Davis, daughters Hannah Mariko Shofet and Becky Steinberg; her siblings Jay Yamada and Karen Dolce Yamada; and two grandchildren.
