To Celebrate the Life of Our Friend and Colleague
Lynda Peters
"We ride because we love it." Her hands were busy mixing a salad. "It's just a question of using the time we have." Lynda added.
The clinic was over ... the last one that Lynda would host for us, although we didn't know that. We were simply enjoying her hospitality.
And this is how I remember Lynda. Talking about her horses and riding, giving her time to feeding and encouraging us, and - most of all - of course, mounted on one of her beloved horses.
Pat Stuart
Spirit, Spunky, Smiles and shamrocks.
When a stallion lifts his head up with that faraway spirited look,
Or a spunky foal delightedly splashes in a cold and bubbling brook.
A mare, her nostrils blowing softly in warm, contented ease,
The gelding's ears twitch slightly from a whisper of a breeze.
Lynda may be there ... smiling.
One so special and so kind, our memories cannot erase,
With double time around the barn, that loving smile upon her face.
We thank you Lord for Lynda and her special gift of life,
She touched us all so dearly, she IS with us here tonight.
Marilee Sorenson
The animals, based upon what they know of this person, decide which humans may cross the bridge....
and which are turned away...
-- Unknown author
I know that if this bridge exists the animals carried my friend Lynda across it.
Debby Rieff
LYNDA WAS SUCH A SPECIAL PERSON, AND I CAN NOT BEGIN TO PUT INTO WORDS WHAT A FORCE SHE WAS. SHE HAD SUCH COURAGE AND YET WAS SO GIVING AND LOVING, SWEET AND KIND.
LYNDA AND I HAVE BEEN FRIENDS FOR OVER 20 YEARS, I REMEMBER WE MET WORKING THE NIGHT SHIFT AT WEST PARK HOSP. AND WE IMMEDIATELY "CONNECTED" I COULD WRITE A BOOK ABOUT ALL THE ADVENTURES WE SHARED- WE JOKED SOMETIMES THAT OUR "GUARDIAN ANGELS" WORKED OVERTIME.
LYNDA HAD SO MANY FACETS OF HER LIFE- AND SHE LIVED HER LIFE TO THE FULLEST, ALWAYS WITH A"PLAN".
WHEN I FIRST BECAME ACQUAINTED WITH LYNDA WE WERE BOTH CARE GIVERS, ( NURSES) AND THAT IS HOW SHE MET THE LOVE OF HER LIFE WHO SHE ADORED DR STAN, SHE WAS A EXCELLANT NURSE AND VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT HER CAREER. BUT LYNDA WAS PASSIONATE ABOUT EVERYTHING SHE CARED ABOUT , HER ENERGY WAS AMAZING
WE ALL ARE AWARE OF LYNDA AMAZING HORSEMANSHIP AND FEARLESS RIDING, SHE HAD NO FEAR OF MAN OR BEAST. I HAVE SEEN HER JUMP HEIGHTS THAT LEFT ME TREMBLING JUST WATCHING - THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO MENTION, THERE WAS NEVER A BORING MINUTE WHEN LYNDA WAS AROUND. SHE EITHER COULD MAKE YOU LAUGH OR BE SPELLBOUND IN TOTAL AMAZEMENT. SHE WAS ALL ABOUT FORWARD MOTION
I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT LYNDA MEANT SO MUCH TO OUR GROUP AND EACH MEMBER PERSONALLY, BUT TO HER FAMILY SHE WAS THE ROCK, AND MY SYMPATHY FOR DR. STAN WHO WAS THE LOVE OF HER LIFE, HER CHILDREN LUKE AND SARAH AND HER GRANDCHILDREN WHO SHE ADORED ,IS BEYOND WORDS. AND I WANT THEM TO KNOW WE ARE HERE FOR THEM.
I MISS HER SO MUCH AND WOULD GIVE ANYTHING TO HAVE ONE MORE TALK WITH HER. BUT I DO FEEL SHE IS HERE WITH ME IN MY HEART AND SHE IS SAYING " YOU HAVE TO JUST GET BACK IN THE SADDLE AND THINK FORWARD. Marilyn Weaver
Her beauty was a flower
Too delicate for sure
She rode a horse three times too big
The jumps, the thrills, her lure.
Her garden was a wonder
Her house a work of art
But hoofbeats and their thunder
Were the closest to her heart
Giving, always giving
Never stopping to ask why
She shared her home with all of us
To give each horse a try
She lived life by the minute
Like a spark that burns too bright
She burned her way into our hearts
We were blinded by her light.
She left life as she lived it
On a horse that she adored
She did a million other things
But on a horse – she soared
She charmed us – and alarmed us
She made us gasp, it’s true
But when it all came together
We held our breath – she flew.
Lou Kennedy
Molly Long
Sara Commons
The things I will remember most about Lynda are her vibrancy and her generosity. Lynda was full of life. When I first met her, she had a dream of building an indoor arena where people could school their horses regardless of the weather. That dream became a reality and she continued to work hard to improve her facility, she wasn’t satisfied with the status quo. Her energy and spark were inspiring. Who else would go to the extra effort to have seasonal decorations around the arena for a schooling show? And I don’t ever remember her being in a bad mood no matter how overwhelmed she got with all she had to do.
Lynda had an extremely generous heart. She was always willing to help and give of her time. She bent over backwards to work with our therapeutic riding organization when it was not a financial benefit for her, and it surely didn’t make her life any easier. She did it as part of her dream, and because she believed in helping others. As a fellow officer in the dressage club, as well as a fellow dressage rider, I have truly benefited from Lynda’s generosity. She was always there to help whether it was hosting a clinic or mid-month motivator meeting, organizing a show, or trying out other ideas for ways to improve our club. And I don’t know how many times she offered to rearrange her schedule to help me fit a ride in her arena into my very hectic schedule…how little I would have been able to ride my horse or learn new skills over the last few years without Lynda’s efforts.
I hope Lynda’s life and spirit will challenge us to be better friends, better helpers and better people.
Lynette Otto
Lynda Peters, 52, of Cody died July 3, 2006, doing what she loved best, riding her big Irish Draught gelding, Hunter.
Lynda was born in Philadelphia, PA, moving to Wyoming in 1973 and graduating from Northwest College and Sheridan College with a degree in nursing.
Her career gave Lynda scope to help people. And this is what she did, becoming highly respected and loved by her colleagues and patients.
A passion for horses and jumping led Lynda to the Irish Draught and, in the mid-1990's she began plans to develop a training and breeding farm, eventually, with the close collaboration and help of her husband, Stan, building a beautiful facility on Heart Mountain. Here she bred and trained her horses, opening her arena to other equine enthusiasts, providing a center for the Heart Mountain Dressage Club, of which she was the Vice President, and keeping open house for her friends and family.
As the Cody Enterprise wrote: "She was a kind, compassionate and loving wife, mother and friend. She always forgave and never passed judgment. Her drive, determination and fearlessness were unequaled, especially in an equestrian. Her fellow riders were in awe of the heart of such a small lady.
"She always made people laugh whether she meant to or not. She brightened the days of all around her. There are not enough words to describe the love for her and how many lives her love touched."
