Lasting Memories

Lynn Erickson Fielder
Feb. 1, 1962-July 1, 2024
Issaquah, Washington

Lynn Erickson Fielder

2/1/62-7/1/24

Lynn Erickson Fielder lived with brilliance, strength and courage. In her youth she danced, skied and influenced those around her. She practiced her gymnastics routines with flexibility and ingenuity, like her approach to life. Born in Riverton, Wyoming to Jim and Sondra Roberts Erickson, the family of 3 moved to California, Sondra’s home area. Mark and Mary Alice were born in the years that followed. The family lived in Marinwood, San Rafael, California for 28 years, Lynn graduating from Terra Linda High School in 1980.

From the beginning, Lynn was the true embodiment of her Finnish heritage word "Sisu." It describes extraordinary courage, will, resilience, endurance, perseverance, fortitude, kindness, selflessness, humility and pure grace in handling all adversity and obstacles with super-hero-like bravery and dignity.

During Lynn’s college studies, she voyaged around the world with the Semester at Sea program, inspiring her lifelong focus on women and children’s health as well as continued world travel. Lynn motivated over 30 families’ youth and college friends to venture on the Institute for Shipboard Education Semester at Sea program. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Economies of Industrial Societies from the University of California, Berkeley, a Master of Public Health (MPH) from UC Berkeley and a Food Research Institute Master’s from Stanford University, an international economics program.

Lynn moved to Washington DC where she worked at the Library of Congress, Congressional Research Service and the Agency for International Development (AID) where she traveled with purpose. While in the DC area she met and married her husband. After the couple moved to California, Lynn was named "30 under 30" while at the height of her career as the Vice President of Medical Services at Planned Parenthood Mar Monte. Serving for 12 years in women's health and primary care, Lynn expanded much needed care to a large region in California and Nevada for all those in need.

She gave birth to daughter Maya and raised her in a multi-generational household in Palo Alto California. Maya and Lynn were very close with Lynn’s eyes brightening in her daughter’s presence.

Lynn was initially diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease at the age of 31. She was a fierce advocate for brain research, women’s reproductive health, and disability rights with an Asset Based Thinking mindset. Lynn shared her wisdom through her public speaking, activism, mentorship, American Leadership Forum, on several boards of directors, including the World Institute on Disability. She participated in the Stanford Hospital and Clinic’s Patient and Family Advisory Council, and the Multiple Mini Interview program through Stanford University Medical School. Lynn wrote personal stories about her life, insights and positive attitude in facing a neurodegenerative disease. Her stories about the challenges of a young person with a disability were included in newspaper articles, and she was profiled in books including publications by Dr. Kathy Cramer’s book on Asset Based Thinking and David W. McCullough’s book on labyrinths and mazes.

As her disease progressed, Lynn developed her own jewelry line called Inspiritu, where she refashioned silverware into pearl and gem one-of-a-kind art. Finding discarded silverware and twisting it into bespoke beauty – each a unique creation, Lynn spoke of the metaphor for repurposing amidst limitations. Lynn tirelessly helped others, whether hosting artist gatherings in choice charity shows or collaborating with entrepreneurs and curating artist's events at Palo Alto’s Vino Locale.

When Lynn could not walk at a women’s retreat, she danced the labyrinth, an important symbol and action for her life. She advocated at the US Congress for Parkinson’s funding, wrote opinion pieces and letters to the editor. During Lynn’s continued extensive travel and advocacy, she connected personally with Nobel prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu, civil rights leader Julian Bond, past Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Michael J. Fox, Muhammad Ali and community leaders.

Later, her diagnosis was updated to Multiple System Atrophy – Parkinsonian type (MSA-P). The average lifespan of MSA is 7 to 10 years. Lynn persevered for over 31. She might be the longest living person with MSA.

For many years Lynn still connected deeply, even without an ability to walk or talk. Even with limitations and challenges, Lynn wrote in her memoir Attitude is Everything, that she was able to laugh and look at the positive aspects of what she could still accomplish even in the most difficult situations. She laughed at Steve Martin’s foolish antics to the end of her life. We forever appreciate the precious time she graced us with her presence.

She’s been called a super woman, mentor, heroic, a luminary, smart, tough, strong, beautiful. and so much more. Lynn never complained. She was a daughter, mother, sister, leader, friend. Lynn leaves a profound legacy that will forever brightly shine. Most importantly she was an inspiration to us all, a force of nature, an unstoppable example of overcoming challenges with fortitude, determination and positivity.

Lynn is survived by her mother Sondra, her daughter Maya, siblings Mark and Mary Alice, and extended family; her dad, James, preceded her in death November 2022.

Her last gesture was to further science and education by contributing to brain research through the Brain Support Network (BSN), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. If you wish to contribute in honor of Lynn Erickson Fielder, BSN’s contribution information is available online. https://www.brainsupportnetwork.org/donate