Nobody loved life more than Linds! She loved everything about it: from the smell of the beaches in Thailand, to watching a good YouTube makeup tutorial, the feeling of being snuggled by her nieces and nephews who adored her, and bringing her joyful Mary Poppins magic to a crying child in the ER. Each day was lived to the fullest, often opting to lose sleep so she didn’t miss out on anything.

It is often said that the Lord takes the good ones early and with Linds, that statement couldn’t be truer. She valiantly fought cancer for two years with grace and gratitude. She made friends everywhere she went, usually handing out a spare lotion or treat she had stashed in her bag of tricks. When communicating, she appreciated a good GIF or meme as much as she enjoyed words. Music, specifically 90’s rap, was used often in her presence, and usually served with a side of “up in the club” dance moves. Lindsay was an amazing artist and colored all of our worlds with her makeup tips, watercolor masterpieces, handmade cards/notes, cooking skills, and musical talents. She had a knack for mesmerizing children (and adults), which came in handy in her career as a Child Life Specialist. She used her talents at many hospitals in New York, Arizona, Utah, and four missions served with her beloved charity, Operation Smile.

Her love for people was second to her love of the Lord. She had a unique way of seeing and loving people as the Lord would see them, constantly serving those she came in contact with, and easily forgiving others. Spending 18 months serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Pusan, South Korea gave her a love for all things Asian (which most likely led to the rice allergy she developed in her late 30’s). Family was everything to her and family didn’t end with blood relation. Her love and relationships have reached all across the world, and many lives have been changed for the better by knowing her.

So, might we suggest a few things you could do to continue to honor Lindsay…Smile at literally everyone you meet. At the gas station. Target. ULTA. The library. Make new friends. Say a kind word or give a compliment. Don’t hold back your love and admiration. Have mini bubbles in your purse, just in case you to need entertain on the fly. Run into the ocean with your clothes on. Be a hugger. Book the concert ticket, even if it’s in another state. Be present. Show up to things. Always have a bag full of snacks so you can share with a crying toddler or a hungry teen at church. Take the time to make birthday/Christmas presents pretty, adding the extra bow or handmade Etsy card. Be an ally for LGBTQ. Get a mammogram. Help others to book their mammogram and go with them for support. At least once a year, spend money on yourself including a bougie makeup item. Make kindness your religion. Lift others. Love with your whole heart.

Love conquers all, even death. Each day will feel like a lifetime without her, but her light stays with us guiding us back to where she will greet us with a big smile and a running hug. Lindsay is preceded in death by her father Gary Beckstrom and survived by her adoring mother Irene Jex Moore (Bob); sisters Monica Haymore (Jeff), Shannon McQuarrie (John), and Pamela Barney (Kyle). Due to the constraints of Covid-19, we will be honoring the life of Lindsay in a celebration this summer. She would want us to be able to hug each other! In lieu of flowers, please donate to Operation Smile through their website: www.operationsmile.org .