ruptured aneurysm. She was 53. She was an artist, a writer, a gardener, a nurse, and a mother. She had a great appreciation for the beauty of the world and spent most of her time fostering it, raising it,
improving it; adding to it with her art, her love, and her incredible depth of kindness and generosity. Tristyn was born on September 18th, 1966 in Los Angeles, CA to Victor Gordon and Jennifer
Lem. She is survived by her sisters, Elysha and Magera; her children, Sarah, Rachael, Gina,
and Alex; and her grandchildren, Liam, Aislinn, Juniper, Kallen, and Cosette. Throughout her adolescence she would find herself moved all across the country, to Alaska, to Utah, and ultimately, to Washington, which would be her permanent home.
Tristyn faced considerable hardship growing up, but she was still able to get a bachelor’s degree in nursing at the University of Washington while raising four children. Even then, life was not easy. She moved her family from city to city looking for new opportunities and cheaper rent. Tacoma to Shoreline to Everett to West Seattle and then to Bellevue, the city she would make her home for most of her final 20 years. She worked as a nurse for a decade until her deteriorating health forced her to quit. She spent the rest of her life writing and drawing, and growing plants (so many plants), and loving her friends and family.
Tristyn may be gone, but she continues to live in a different place, preceded there by her mother, Jennifer, her fathers, Victor and John, and her brother, Etienne. She lives on in our passion, our philosophy, and our laughter. You can find her in the plants we grow, and the food we cook and the stories we write and the art we paint and the way we raise our children. Her lasting gift is this place, in our hearts, where we can return again and again for the rest of our lives.
A Celebration of Life to honor and remember Tristyn will be held at a later date when it's safe to gather with friends and family.
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