When life threw her a curve, and there were several, Lynne Hamstra met the challenge head on, always with a smile and with an honesty that was refreshing and at times surprising.
A single parent of a teenage son, Hamstra, who died Saturday in Vail of a suspected heart attack, treasured her wide circle of friends and often put their needs before her own.
“She always put others first, which is why she was so successful and passionate in her career and life,” said Alexine Deahl, whose friendship with Hamstra began 12 years ago. “Her sense of humor and loyalty will be some of the qualities I will most miss.”
Hamstra, 47, had served as development director for Up With People since September. Previously, she had worked in corporate relations and development for several Denver-area businesses and nonprofit groups, including the Historic Paramount Foundation, Colorado Ballet, Sage Hospitality and the Marriott City Center.
She also supported the fundraising activities of such nonprofit organizations as Volunteers of America, the Denver Zoo, Beacon Center, the Denver Film Society, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Warren Village and Mullen High School.
“She came at things with an energy and enthusiasm that was wonderful to watch,” said Nancy Brittain, who was Central City Opera’s development director during the two years that Hamstra was the associate director for corporate and foundation relations. “She was a hard worker, willing to put in the hours it took to do the job, and always upbeat. She really knew how to work with people.”
Maureen Regan Cannon met Hamstra shortly after Hamstra’s son, Teddy, was born.
“She treated all of her friends like they were family,” Cannon said. “Every phone call, every text message, began with ‘Hey, sistah’ or ‘How’re you doing, sistah?’ I’m really going to miss the sisterhood that she created.”
Former Colorado first lady Frances Owens agrees.
“Lynne was an integral part of (daughter) Monica’s and my life for the past four years,” she said. “She was fun, caring and truly a part of our family.”
Hamstra, Cannon said, had a great fashion sense and was as comfortable in jeans as she was in a Versace gown. “She loved to dress elegantly and make an entrance, but material things weren’t what defined her. She was as beautiful on the outside as she was on the inside.”
Hamstra earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. She spent her junior year in London, which ignited a passion for travel, both domestic and international.
In addition to her son, Hamstra is survived by her father, Stephen Carp; her mother Joyce Carp, and brothers Andy and Bobby Carp.
Graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Emanuel Cemetery, 430 S. Quebec St. The family suggests memorial contributions to Up With People, 6830 Broadway, Unit A, Denver 80221; Warren Village, 1300 Gilpin St., Denver 80218; or the Raymond Wentz Foundation, P.O. Box 9039, Denver 80209.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com
