Obituary of Lindsey Carla Holmes

July 8, 1966 – St. Louis, Missouri, USA

April 1, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Lindsey Carla Holmes on Monday, April 1, 2024, in Calgary, AB, at age 57 years. Lindsey experienced ovarian cancer with a positive and hopeful attitude, trademark determined nature, and a wacky love of hats and makeup. She was always grateful for the good medical care she received and the support and love of her family and friends. In her last year of life, Lindsey fully embraced her identity as an autistic person and, with her sister Paula, contributed to several advocacy projects with the hope of improving the experience of other autistic cancer patients.

Her family is especially grateful to the staff and volunteers at Southwood Hospice who allowed her to live in safety and community, encouraged her to find her voice and live an authentic life right until the end. As Lindsey said, “This may be my last chapter, but I’m going to make it my best one yet.”

Lindsey leaves behind many people to find some way to honour that unique Lindsey-shaped hole; her sisters Paula (Bill), Nicola (Sarah Jane); brother Richard (Erica), and father and stepmother. She was blessed to have some amazing aunts; Donna and Barb were especially dear to her, and aunts and uncles, cousins and their little ones will all miss the opportunity of more time with Lindsey. She was predeceased by her mother in 2019, and two loving sets of grandparents. Her tiny nieces Maeve, and Zoey; and nephew Eli brought her great joy, and she hopes they will grow up knowing stories of their brave and beautiful auntie Lindsey. Lindsey also leaves behind her husband Andrew, and dear friends Tricia, and Jim.

Lindsey was born in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, in 1966, and moved to Canada with her family at a young age. She spent her early childhood in southern Ontario and moved to the Calgary, AB, area at age twelve. She received a BA in English from the University of Calgary and worked diligently at numerous jobs all her life. As an autistic person, she struggled in school, in the workplace and socially, but Lindsey was nothing if not stubborn, in the best sense, and she prided herself on a strong work ethic, dedication to fitness, fashion, and family.

She pictured heaven as a big Sunday dinner with the whole family gathered around. I’m certain that her favourite Okanagan cherries and Taber corn are being served. She also imagined that all the family pets would be there and that all the people and pets would be healthy and happy.

She loved road trips, the Rocky Mountains, the West Coast, a good thrift store bargain, a lively game of Scrabble, and anything with ginger and chocolate. Her pets were precious to her, and she was always happy to meet a new cat or dog. Red was her favourite colour, and she was a sucker for a good makeover show. She used to say that she was partly solar-powered and could often be found soaking up the sun on a patio or by a window. Her favourite song was “Here Comes the Sun,” by The Beatles, and just perfectly, she died as the sun was coming up. She believed strongly in all forms of social justice and continues to challenge us all to strive for inclusivity and celebrate our differences.

When she received her BA, her mom told her, “You have your wings now.” Lindsey struggled to fly for a lot of her life, but her family pictures her soaring now, warm in the sun, a soft breeze carrying her along to wherever she wishes to go. Ovarian cancer may have claimed her body, but we can honour the entirety of Lindsey when we delight in an adorable kitten, look for the good in a person, believe the impossible, feel gratitude for what we have, find joy in a simple gathering, be our most generous and loving selves, and turn our faces toward the sun.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to your local SPCA, Ovarian Cancer Canada, https://ovariancanada.org,  Autism Canada, https://www.autismcanada.org, or Hospice Calgary, https://www.hospicecalgary.ca. 

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Lindsey’s family here.

In living memory of Lindsey Carla Holmes, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.