The Houston-born, Lake Charles, Louisiana-reared[1] Lynde began her career with the Dallas Symphony, both as a pianist and as a vocal soloist.[2] The child of German parents Marvin and Sophia Zoch,[3] she had to learn English in kindergarten.[1]
Lynde's performances at Indiana University brought her to the attention of musician Fred Waring, which led to her being a soloist with Waring and his Pennsylvanians choir for two years.[1]
In 1973, she moved to Los Angeles, where she was among the original cast members of the CBSsoap operaThe Young and the Restless,[2] playing "Leslie Brooks". She left the series in early 1977. Two years later, Lynde joined Another World as "Tracy DeWitt"; she left the role in 1981. In 1984, she starred as Laurel Chapin Wolek in One Life to Live, which she left in 1986.