Because of
Amber.

I just remembered another thing. I was gone a lot from the Galer House because of my work, so I missed out on a lot of the activities they did. But I remember the parties! I remember they wanted to do a dance routine for one of the parties, so they asked me to coordinate that. I remember teaching Amber and the other roommates the dance. I was to "Get Up Offa That Thing" by James Brown. I remember Amber being especially enthusiastic about it. I remember her smiling during it. Good memory. :) I found a couple of photos off of my FB account. Here are the yoga sessions.

I remember first meeting Amber when she moved into the Galer House. Immediately, I knew we had a songbird on our hands. She was never afraid to be herself and was always spreading sunshine. Her honesty was refreshing, and I always appreciated that about her. I enjoyed the deep conversations we shared in her room. I also remember when she visited me in St. George, after our lives had moved on from the Galer House. Her visit was wonderful. Amber had a way of giving you her full attention and making you feel like she was genuinely present with you. I always knew I was with someone genuine when I was with her. She left this world a better place simply because she was in it. It feels deeply unfair that her time here was so short. Many of my photos from that time are lost. I wish I could share them here.

Amber was one of the stars at La Casita de las Tres Estrellas, our Sacramento apartment. She was awesome and confident. She taught me how to do the “shower shuffle” for when you need clean feet but don’t want to mess with a full shower. The first class I took on zoom was yoga with Amber, way before those Covid newbies. On this trip to San Francisco, Ambers job was to get us safely through the city and tell us which plants we could eat. Another day we got to be queens on appropriate thrones. I loved being with her and learning from her. Her eyes and her heart were always wide open.

Amber and I ran a race together and got matching shirts. I really don't like running but Amber convinced me it would be fun and of course with her it was. She was a good example to me to stay fit and exercise. I'd come home from work to find Amber in the Galer house living room doing yoga and the first thing she would say to me was something like, "Hey, let's see who can air chair the longest!" I'd always come home to some sort of physical challenge by Amber. She had a very competitive spirit and I got competitive with her too so we had fun seeing who could do a head stand the longest or do the most push-ups lol Cracks me up to think about it. Here's a time when we went to the beach with a big friend group and she did a yoga session with us all. We loved going to the beach together, walking the pier, playing in the sand and water and taking lots of pics.

It’s like you tell a short story: Every summer, two girls, second cousins; worked together in the nursery belonging to the woman one called Aunt Cherry and the other called Grandma. The older girl taught the younger about plants, and the younger followed her everywhere, eager to learn. Afterward, they would listen to classic jazz like Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong and the great Billie Holiday, on vinyl with the man one called Uncle Dave and the other called Grandpa. Years later, the songs still bring back the flowers, the summer warmth, and my cousin’s comforting presence. I know you’re in the presence of our Heavenly Father now and your body is made perfect. I will miss you Amber.

I have so many dear memories of Amber! I share one for now and I will add more as I have time! I went on an epic plant collecting trip with Amber and the Native Plant Society in the deserts of Southern California. One memorable experience was collecting plants right next to the US/Mexico border. A self appointed border patrol person drove up to tell us we were in a dangerous place and that we should not be there. He really made me nervous, but Amber firmly told him that we were doing important work and had no intention of leaving, so the man sat in his truck and watched us for the next 3 hours. I so admired her hutzpah!

It is hard for me to put words on what Amber will always mean to me. She is one of my favorite companion. She was the companion who never thought I was weird. She played along with me walking on the edge of side walk trying to keep our balance so as to avoid imaginary crocodiles on one side and the cliff on the other side. You read it right. Crocodiles in Arizona desert are little known but very dangerous, specially the imaginary ones. I never had to explain or apologize for being who I am and this is why I never wanted to tell her about my life and struggles. I missed her gigantic smile when I went back home. I pride myself in having never told her that my secret super power is killing plants by merely looking at them.

I had the great fortune of meeting Amber when we became roommates at university. The adventures of the Pinegar Apartments could fill a book! When I graduated, Amber joined me for a road trip from Utah to Florida. We had lots of fun stops planned along the way, but tornadoes dogged us the entire drive, so we had to be practical and just get there. However, Amber was prepared to make the most of every situation no matter how silly it seemed at the time. She had packed a harmonica for reasons unknown even to her, and despite us not being able to do the fun stops, she challenged herself to learn harmonica through the great state of Nebraska. She graciously put up with my off-key singing as I graciously put up with her off-key attempts. What a time! I also had the great fortune of visiting her in Boston with my sister. That's a trip none of us will forget; truly a life highlight with the best of people.

Amber was my sister, Jennifer‘s, roommate. She became my friend when she and Jennifer drove to Florida together to visit me. One day, we were driving through the Merritt Island wildlife refuge when we stopped and got out of the car at the edge of some water. There were tall, grasses and mangroves, so we didn’t see that there was also a rather large alligator. However, we heard it when it started growling and hissing at us! We very quickly got back in the car and moved along the trail! We stayed in the car after that. When Amber was living in Boston, Jennifer and I went to stay with her for a few days. She was the perfect hostess, driving us to all different places in her minivan. She showed us the herbarium where she worked at Harvard, which was amazing. We spent the best Fourth of July ever with her as we sat by the Charles River listening to the Boston Pops, watching fireworks. You couldn’t be around Amber without smiling and laughing. She was so bright and fun and such a joy to be with.

I met Amber my sophomore year in high school. We were in the same chemistry class. We sat in the back and laughed and laughed. I brought her some lotion that had itching powder in it for April Fools Day. Haha, she loved it. We made popcorn and watched movies at her house. Then she actually like to discuss the movies. A rare trait in my peers. When we went to BYU, she kept me sane. All I did was study and she was the friend who said, "time to stop! Come with me to a movie! " she saved me! We wpuld go by the 10 toostie pops for $1 and eat them all at the free Friday Foreign films at BYU. We went to Jazz concerts and volleyball games. I probably wouldn't have seen "Cool Runnings" without her! And Babbit's Feast, and all sorts of fun movies. We watched some black and white classics. Amber taught me how to live. We met up in Sacramento when she was there for a short time. She came over and taught us how to make flour from acorns! We actually baked a loaf of bread using acorn flour! My kids will always remember that. We went to San Francisco, and some beautiful beaches in Northern California. Judy, her mom came one time and we went to Old Town Sacramento. It was always a fun time with Amber. Then we reconnected again when we moved back to Utah. We met Brynn and Brett and Ryan. Amber and her family came to our house in Cedar on their way somewhere. My husband and sin ran into Amber at Granny's Shake Shack in Heber. We went to her Galentine's party and she helped pick out some lively stuff. We will always remember her by. It was always fun to go to her house and see art and flowers and have a great honest conversation. I really admired Amber's quest for truth and wanting to do stuff! She was a deep thinker and a kind person who kept up friendships far better than most. What a great soul! Until we meet again dear Amber! You are dearly, dearly loved.

I first met Amber when our oldest sons were toddlers. We were in the same ward in Springville and Amber decided to start a neighborhood book club. We had so many fun book club meetings and I really enjoyed getting to know Amber better. That book club is still thriving nine years later all thanks to Amber starting it. We shared a love of thrifting and all things vintage. I remember Amber pitching the idea to another friend and me to go in on a booth at Treasures antique mall. It was a short lived venture but it was fun to try something new! We were both pregnant with our second children at the same time and I can remember many conversations about pregnancy and raising kids and a sense of camaraderie with her. About 6 years ago Amber and her family moved out of our neighborhood and I sadly didn’t see her as often. She did keep coming to book club for a couple of years after she moved. She hosted a couple times in her parent’s beautiful backyard next to the river and it was the most idyllic spot for book club. A few months ago we were reunited when she invited me to her home to pick a few things from her collection. I found some treasures and really enjoyed catching up with Amber. My toddler was being clingy and making it difficult for me to look around. Even though I’m sure she wasn’t feeling the greatest, she happily took the time to get on the floor and play with him so I could check things out in peace. Her thoughtfulness will always stand out to me. I will always remember she had a big beautiful smile and a contagious laugh that you couldn’t help joining in. I was very impressed by her intelligence and knowledge of a wide variety of things. Every conversation with her was interesting and she was such a good listener and made me feel heard and important. She was a wonderful mother. She will be greatly missed!

I didn’t know Amber super well, but I considered her a friend in high school. She was always smiling, and had a beautiful laugh. And never did I hear her speak an ill word about anyone. Her confidence was inspiring. Most of all, she may not have known this, but her kindness to me made a lasting difference in my life. It was just who she was, but at that time in my life, i was suffering with depression and didn’t have a lot of kindness coming my direction. With Amber, I could easily tell her kindness was genuine. Her energy felt safe. Amber, your presence made a lifelong impact on me that I hope you can see a glimpse of now. You are a beautiful being, and I am grateful for you . If I barely knew you, and your influence was that big on me, I can only imagine the beauty your closest loved ones experienced from you. May they be blessed. Your ripple of light will continue to carry forward in this life. Thank you for being you, and thank you for crossing my path, however briefly.

I remember me and Ryan struggling with our single days in our early 30s. He went to California and came back engaged. I at first wanted to meet Amber, make sure Ryan wasn't just infatuated and had got someone decent . When I saw her spirit and kindness I was blown away. When I saw her effect on Ryan I noticed that too. It's like my friend came alive and got even better. We had a few double dates and her smile and enthusiasm was contagious. When I heard the news of her passing i was saddened. I'd imagined other fun double dates and better times. But we did have way good times together and Amber is sorely missed. She's a bright light and her faith is so strong. -Omar

One of my favorite memories of Amber is the first time I met her which was at Disneyland CA with Ryan when they were still dating. I remember thinking she was beautiful, funny and so interesting! Everywhere we went she pointed out the plants that Disneyland used that were edible so little curious kids wouldn’t get sick if they tried them. She knew the names of everything and showed me a side of Disneyland that I never knew. She and Ryan also showed me a few hidden Mickey’s which was super cool too. The memory only gets better because I saw the moment when I knew Ryan and Amber were gonna get married. We’d walked to the end of the California Adventure Pier where the Silly Symphony was and all the Pier lights were lit and the music from the ride was playing and Ryan and Amber started dancing on the boardwalk. I got a picture of it and if I ever find it again, I’ll send it to you. It was magical. I loved Amber’s big laugh, her keen sense of style (still in love with her wedding dress and veil), her caring nature, playing games with her… She was just easy to be around. I’m really going to miss her and I hope she knows that.

I met Amber when she moved into the Galer house in Glendale, California, and we quickly became friends. She loved taking us on hikes, and I remember struggling to keep up with her! She always encouraged us to keep going and rarely let us rest for long. That’s where my love of hiking began. Amber always had a new trail to explore, and she never forgot to bring a treat to enjoy at our destination, usually a beautiful spot overlooking the city. Amber also loved games and was incredibly good at card games and word games. With her quick thinking, she could beat all of us roommates! She was curious about people and genuinely wanted to understand them on a deeper level. At one point, she had all of us take an extremely long personality test because she wanted to learn more about each of us. She was always up for a challenge. After becoming a yoga instructor, she would come home from class and challenge us to see who could stand on their hands the longest or hold a particular pose without giving up. She definitely had a competitive side! Her adventurous spirit also led her to teach yoga classes on the beach, which was so fitting for her. After we moved to Utah, Amber and I found ourselves pregnant at the same time. Our little girls have grown up together, and watching their friendship blossom has been such a joy. Amber had a special way of making me feel loved and remembered. Whenever we got together, she would bring a little treat or a thoughtful gift. Her kindness and caring nature are what I will remember most about her. She had the most beautiful smile and the brightest blue eyes. I am so grateful our paths crossed and that I had the opportunity to know her. Amber touched my life in so many meaningful ways, and I will always cherish the memories we made together. I know our little girls will carry on their friendship, keeping a piece of Amber’s spirit alive in the years to come. We will miss you, Amber, and remember you always.

This year on my birthday Amber asked if she could take me to breakfast. I enjoyed every chance I got to be around Amber so that seemed like a great way to spend my birthday. I knew that finances had been tight with Ryan needing to be home, so I offered to get the check. She told me no. She said if there was one thing she had learned in her fight with cancer it was how generous people are. She shared a few ways of how other had blessed her family and then she said, "I want to be that generous too. I think the world would be a much better place if everyone just tried to be generous." Well generous she was! She was always thinking of ways to help, offering to watch my kids, helping me in my yard, coming up with fun ideas our families could do together, asking the size of my kids clothes and shoes so she could look for them at yard sales, just being a listening ear. At one point she turned her livingroom into a boutique, displaying all her treasures and inviting all her friends and family to come choose trinkets to take home. I asked her how she had come up with the idea. She told me that there were so many people in her life that had been so wonderful to her and she wanted to get each of them a gift. But she didn't know exactly what they would want. So she thought if she let them choose then she could give them the gift they wanted. Even in her final weeks of life when she was suffering so much she was looking for ways to serve others and helped me get started on my family history. I will miss Amber dearly but I will see her in the daily acts of kindness and generosity of those around me. And I hope that throughout my life I can continue to pay forward the many ways she blessed my life.

I met Amber my very first Sunday after I moved to Boston for an internship. I sat next to her in Relief Society, and I am so grateful I did. She was incredibly kind and welcoming, and by the end of church, she had invited me over that afternoon for lunch at her house. She quickly became one of my few close friends in Boston. I'll never forget how she always pulled out her paper maps and expertly naviagted us through the narrow, crazy streets of Boston in her minivan. And she was just so fun to be around. Amber's smile lit up the whole room, and her laugh and energy were contagious. When a few years later we both found ourselves living in Utah, we picked up that friendship where it had left off. After we both moved again, we kept in touch, and we made a point to visit each other when we happened to be on the same side of the country. No matter how long it had been since we had last caught up, we could always talk like no time had passed. I will miss our chats, her wise perspective, her genuine caring, her optimism, and her undaunted spirit. Until we meet again, my friend.

As I’ve been looking for the words to express what an influence Amber had on my life, I keep coming back to how lucky I am to have had her as a role model throughout my childhood. She brought so much magic and whimsy into my life as a young girl, and she had a way of making me feel truly special. One of my most cherished memories is when she spent hours cleaning out a room at the art museum and turned it into the most magical tea party for my birthday. She really could throw the best tea parties. I had never felt more like a princess than I did that day. It’s a memory I will always treasure. Amber was one of the most creative, thoughtful, and loving people I have ever known. She had such a gift for making ordinary moments feel magical, and for making the people around her feel loved and important. I am so grateful that I got to experience that love and magic throughout my childhood. I am a better person because of Amber, and I feel incredibly lucky that she was part of my life. Her influence is something I will carry with me always and something I will do my best to pass on in my own family traditions. ❤️

I met Amber through my sister, Sherry, and her husband, Fred, who have maintained a close, loving friendship with Amber and her parents for more than 40 years. My own ties to this extraordinary family are much more recent, but for the last six years or so, my daughters and I have been blessed to celebrate Thanksgiving each year with Amber and her amazing extended family. After traveling cross-country, Amber’s family would join us at Fred and Sherry’s, and as we gathered around the table for our holiday feast, our two families seamlessly blended into one larger, loving one. We’d laugh and share stories. We’d spend hours and hours crafting with the kids. And most special of all, we found new ways to establish meaningful holiday traditions together.   Bonds like this are a gift and even though I only got to see Amber for one precious holiday weekend a year, my time with her was something I always looked forward to and treasured. She was incredibly smart and funny. She was honest and open when speaking her heart. She was a patient and loving mother, and an extremely devoted daughter and wife. But what will remain foremost in my memory of Amber is the strength of her spirit – her fierce curiosity, her love of life, her extraordinary courage, and her ability to radiate a singular kind of light. I will miss her physical presence at our Thanksgiving table forever more, but her spirit will always be present and we will remember and honor her with love.   I extend my deepest condolences to her loving husband, Ryan, her children Brett and Brynn, her parents, Vern and Judy, her sister Angela and her family, and all the friends who loved her.

So many amazing memories living with Amber in P2 in Provo! One evening she and I bought as many types of Root Beer we could find. Then we went to her parents house, watched a movie, and tasted tested them to see which one we liked best. Amber was always up for an adventure. Amber, Coralee, and I were having guy troubles. To get away from it, we decided to drive down to Arches National Park - in February. We had a nice hike in the cold and snow. The only other person we saw was a park ranger who thought we were idiots. Then we relaxed in the hot tub of our hotel. Lots of wonderful adventures: homemade, oatmeal masks that slid off our faces, teaching me about plants at every opportunity, going to the opera, spontaneous dance parties, teaching me how to make no-bakes, etc! I love you Amber my friend. ❤️

Some of my most cherished memories of Amber are connected to living with her in Galer House when we both were living in Los Angeles. I just remember that my job was really hard at the time and our living situation was not great at the Galer House because there were always so many people and it was busy and loud. But I remember coming home and alway looking forward to hanging out with Amber and Ixchelle. We would gather around a kitchen table and talk for hours about our day, dating and health/wellness haha. We just had a good time and it was such a formative time for me. I felt so loved and supported by Amber. She was an amazing friend. One of my most favorite memories of Amber was going on a hike with her in Burbank. That was closer to the evening and the trail was really nice. Amber walked me through so many plants and flowers that were on this trail. She explained to me what they were and where they’re coming from. And then we suddenly we saw a BIG cat on a trail except it wasn’t a cat. It was a lynx. It was standing with its back to us from a distance before it disappeared in the bushes. Amber said it was a mountain lion. But I’m pretty sure it was a lynx. We’ve argued so many times about what we both saw that day. It was such a fun hike and I loved spending time with her there! Finally, I always loved our phone conversations. I went through a rough back surgery in 2022 and Amber had her surgery at the same time as well. We talked a lot about our physical health, mental health and the struggles we were dealing with. I felt like a got to know Amber from a very different point of view during this time of our lives. I always loved her perspective on things. She was always so refreshing, honest and non compromising. I just loved that no bullshit attitude she had about her. She was also so upbeat, understanding, blunt and FUN to talk to. Those conversations were real, honest and I will always remember them. I will always love Amber dearly. She left such an impact and I love who she was.

Amber came into my life in the summer of 2021. I had just gotten married and was starting my second year at BYU. I had always loved kids, so I decided to look for a babysitting/nannying opportunity. At the time, Amber was looking for someone who could help watch her kids a couple times a week. I walked up Amber’s front porch steps for what would be the first of many times. She had invited me to come and meet the kiddos I would be watching and, let’s be honest, to test me out to make sure she could trust me to be around her precious babies. After talking and getting to know each other further for a while in her living room, she extended me the offer to be Brett and Brynn’s babysitter. The kids were so adorable and the parents so friendly and kind, so I said yes in a heartbeat. Over the next couple of years, I came to Amber’s house every week to watch her kids for a few hours. Every time I walked in the door, she always greeted me with her smile– a smile that was so uniquely big and contagious. She was always so happy to see me and always so interested to hear how school was going for me. Once she had gotten her diagnosis and begun treatment, each time I came to her house, we would talk about how she was doing, how she was feeling, and how treatments were going. What struck me most in those moments, and what I think will stay with me for the rest of my life, is that with every update she gave me, she smiled as she gave it. She was always so grateful, so hopeful, so optimistic through her suffering. Each week, I witnessed the mindset of the most resilient person I had ever met. When it would come time for me to leave, I would look back at their home as I drove away, and every time, without fail, Amber would be standing in the open doorway, smiling her big, contagious smile and waving to me as I drove away. Amber went so far beyond what most moms would have in her relationship with me. She always made an effort to make me feel so appreciated by her family, so loved, trusted, and welcome in her home. Amber made me feel like I was a part of her family. I’m so grateful I got to be touched by Amber’s light in our visits together. But I’m also exceptionally grateful that I had the opportunity to witness the way her light shined through her children. I fell in love with Brett and Brynn so quickly and so easily because they embodied everything that is good and pure in this world. Their infectious enthusiasm and love for life filled my life with so much joy. They loved me so freely, and some of the greatest life lessons I ever learned came from the hours I spent playing with Brett and Brynn and witnessing how pure and uninhibitedly kind they were. Kindness I’m certain was learned at the feet of the mother who exemplified it for them. Brett and Brynn had Amber’s light in them then and I know they’ll continue to have it with them and in them for the rest of their lives. Because of Amber, I was given an experience that meant the world to me, and a relationship with two amazing kids that I’ll get to treasure in my heart forever.

Amber and family moved into our neighborhood several years ago and we slowly but surely got acquainted, especially these last two years. She is the kind of person that leaves a lasting impression because of her genuine interest in you, and she exudes positivity and joy. Her smile is infectious and leaves a lasting impression in each of us. I am glad we got to share in a few fun activities together in our neighborhood, like an ice cream run on a rainy day with the girls, doing crafts together, helping another neighbor prep for her estate sale (which Amber had crazy skills with), sharing hard conversations together over watermelon and hugging each other at the local farmers market. I have also enjoyed getting to know her family, see her fierce love for them and become a part of that sweet inner circle of love she created. On her most difficult days, it was her family that kept her smiling and squeezing every drop of joy into the day. What a lesson for us all, thank you Amber for being such an example of determination, resilience, joy and love. You will always be a part of us that makes us smile!

Amber was the fun babysitter that everyone wanted. She brought paper crafts, stickers, her marble run and so much more. When I was in second grade I did a presentation on Russia in front of my class. Amber helped me prepare everything days ahead and then came and helped me present it. It was so incredibly elaborate that I honestly felt bad for the other kids. I still think of her when my kids play with my old sets of Russian dolls. I could never get over how eloquently she spoke. Her passion was contagious and I loved hearing her perspective on any topic she wished to share. So much humor, so much spunk. I will never forget the sound of her voice or her laugh. I had the wonderful opportunity to watch her create some of her eco friendly wedding decorations and was amazed by her love of nature and her commitment to it. A few years back I ran into her at Sun River Gardens buying the most beautiful little stocking stuffers for her children, I remember thinking “she still has that eye for beauty and uniqueness.” I was lucky enough to run into her again the following year in Mapleton at a fall event and I remember telling my husband “There is not one person I could have been happier to see.” It was such a chance encounter and I was delighted to get caught up. The last time I saw her was at my sister’s baby shower. My mom, sisters and I were over the moon excited to see her and we made sure to get a photo of all of us together. I will cherish that picture forever.