Lindsey L. Jydstrup

"An amazing mom, wife, grandmother, aunt, sister, cousin, and political activist, Lindsey Jydstrup, age 68, passed away peacefully January 29th surrounded by family after a hard fought battle with pancreatic cancer. Lindsey Riggs was born on July 23, 1949 and raised in Odessa, TX by parents Tillman and Virginia. As a child she loved reading and playing with her sister and best friend, Leslie, and neighborhood friends. She attended the University of Texas at Austin and earned a degree in Journalism. She started her career as a teacher before transitioning to communications with an emphasis in politics. She worked as press secretary for NV congressman Jim Santini where she met her husband Doug, whom she married in 1983.

After moving to Las Vegas with Doug in 1983 she worked for the Nevada State Education Association from 1984-1995, where she became a lobbyist and Assistant Executive Director. She then became the Executive Director of the Democratic Legislative Caucus, where she remained until 2008, and then continued with the Assembly Democratic Caucus until 2012. She finished her career at Strategies 360 as the Nevada Communications Director, before her final retirement in June 2016. While in these positions, she was involved in hundreds of campaigns and was a major player in shaping Nevada politics. She had previously received an award from Nevada Business Magazine for “Best Role Model”, and she recently received an award from the Clark County Democratic Party for her lifetime contributions to Nevada politics.

She was an avid traveller and loved cruising, even through her diagnosis. She also loved baseball in any form, whether it was watching on TV or attending live games (especially her DBacks, Braves, and Cubs). Throughout her life, she was considered a role model by many, whether it be her family or colleagues. She continued to serve as a role model of how to live life throughout her illness, never letting it get the best of her or impeding her from doing the things she loved. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Leslie. She is survived by her husband Doug, daughter Andrea (Stephen), grandson Emmett, son Jay (Evie), niece Sarah Beth Shapiro, cousin Stephen Macartney, and numerous beloved family members in Texas. Services will be held at Palm Cheyenne Mortuary on February 10th at 11am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada or Helen Jydstrup Elementary School.