Lindsey Nordby

I have been reluctant to write this, because I haven’t known how to form my thoughts into words. But, here we go.

On May 6, 2023, at 7:21 PM, my Aunt Carolynn passed away.

After a 6+ week long stay in the hospital due to a myriad of medical complications, she passed away with the love of her family around her. Though unconscious at the time, she had over 12 people in her hospital room talking to her, praying for her, and showing her all the love we could give her.

The day she passed, I was fortunate enough to have traveled to California that very morning for a different event the next day. A mere number of hours after arriving, I learned that my aunt’s long hospital stay was quickly coming to an end.

In that moment, those of us who could gathered our things and made the long drive out to the hospital over an hour away.

The room felt heavy, as it should at a time like that. It was cold, and felt almost colder than a hospital usually is.

Needless to say, our hearts were breaking that day.

My Aunt Carolynn was a beautiful woman. She was one of the people who never had anything but good things to say about me. The number of times she commented on my Facebook posts or sent me text messages about how proud she is of me goes unmatched to other adults in my life (besides my mama, of course). Her kind words were never asked for, of course, but offered without any second thought. To her, the kind things she said were true. She thought so highly of so many people around her.

She was a cheerleader, always, and never failed to have my (and others) best interests at heart. She made decisions based on how it would affect others, not herself.

She always supported what I was passionate about, specifically my mission work, and always let me know that she was in my corner when it came to the things I was doing with the church.

Auntie C was a woman who has always been a part of my life, even when we went a while without talking. I still remember the weekends spent up at her house in the desert when we were young kids, running around with her many dogs, pulling names for Secret Santa, sugaring our popcorn, and riding quads on the dirt bike track. Her house was a hub for fun. We always knew we were going to have a good time when we were going “to the desert”.

One of my favorite memories with my aunt happened when we were just kids. In our family, there are a lot of people. There’s 6 siblings between my mom and her brother and sisters, giving me 20 something cousins. Because there are so many of us, outgrown clothing got passed around a LOT. Frequently, there would be a huge trash bag at grandma’s house with clothes everyone would pick through before sending them to the Goodwill.

With many growing women in the family, bra’s were a frequent item in these bags.

There was one day where a bunch of us were going through the hand-me-downs, and Aunt C found a bra. To our 5-10ish year old entertainment, she decided to try it on. Moments later, she comes waltzing out of the bathroom, shirt off, and too small bra on, dancing through the living room for the enjoyment of us kids. We were losing. it. The way she had fun with it had us kids cry-laughing.

To this day, I can still vividly remember that afternoon.

That is just one of many stories I have that tells you about the kind of woman Carolynn was.

She loved deeply.

She cared about her people.

She always wanted the best for others.

She loved the kids, and adults, around her.

She was always the first one there when fun times were had.

In essence, she was joy.

Aunt Carolynn was also known as “psycho grandma” to my cousin, which was also accurate.

She was crazy, and fun, and, well, psycho.

But I know none of my family would’ve had it any other way.

As I mentioned, the day she passed, I got to be there. I hadn’t expected my 36 hour trip to include a passing, and a 100th birthday party the following day, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Being able to see the woman I hadn’t seen in years (due to my move to Colorado) just one last time, and to say goodbye to her – that’s a memory I’ll have forever.

Auntie Carolynn, it was a blessing to know you, and to be a part of your family. It was my absolute honor to be able to say one final prayer over you, as the doctors and hospital staff prepared your body to pass over into the next life.

Your memory will live on in your husband, children, grandchildren, parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, and everyone else who loves you.

May you rest in peace. I love you.