Krista Lynn
Obituaries
Vail Daily - September 21, 1999
Fatal accident claims life of Vail woman
A Vail resident was killed Sunday evening in an automobile accident that occurred on a slick road south of Glenwood Springs.
According to a report by the Colorado State Patrol, Kristin Lynn, 26, was a passenger in a 1990 Saab driven by Christopher Kelsey, 31, of Carbondale.
The Saab was heading eastbound on U.S. Highway 82 at about 6 p.m. and it crossed the median. The car rolled once and collided with an oncoming Toyota truck driven by Eric Sites, 45, of Las Vegas, Nev. Lynn, who was not wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the car.
The Glenwood Springs and Carbondale fire departments responded to the accident and all three people were taken to Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs.
Lynn was pronounced dead on arrival due to a fatal head injury, the report said. Kelsey suffered cuts to his head and Sites received minor injuries.
According to friends and co-workers, Lynn worked as a project manager in the interior architecture department at Slifer Designs in Avon. An Oklahoma native, Lynn attended the University of Oklahoma's College of Architecture, where in 1997 she received a bachelor's degree in interior design.
Prior to moving to Vail, Lynn worked for Haldeman Powell and Partners, and BBC Designs, both in Dallas, Texas.
While in Vail, Lynn worked on designs for Main Street Junction in Breckenridge and the Ritz Carlton in Aspen Highlands and assisted with the renovation of the Vail Chapel.
Lynn also was involved in community service as a volunteer for the Make A Wish Foundation. She recently organized a City Market value card donation for the Buddies Program within Slifer Designs.
Beth Slifer, a president of Slifer Designs, said Lynn was a major contributor to the company and to the design business.
"Anytime you lose someone so young, it's terribly sad," Slifer said. "The contribution she made was her wonderful attitude, helpfulness and her kindness to everyone. She was greatly loved."
Lynn is survived by: her father, Gary, of Dallas; her mother, Judy of Wichita, Kan.; a sister Katie Lynn Patterson, of Dallas; and a brother, Thomas Lynn, also of Dallas.
A memorial service is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday afternoon at the Vail Chapel. Her family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Make a Wish Foundation, 1241 South Parker Road, Suite 100, Denver, Colo., or to the Eagle County Buddies Program, P.O. Box 2338, Avon, Colo.
Vail Daily Trail page 5 - September 21, 1999
Kristin Lynn lived her dreams in the Vail Valley
Kristin Lynn was known to send frequent e-mails to her colleagues at Slifer Designs.
On Sunday, the last day of her life, Lynn sent an e-mail entitled the "don'ts and do's to see you through." At the top of the list it said, "Don't ever stop dreaming your dreams, they're a very essential part of you. Do whatever you can to make them a reality by the course you take, the plans you make, and all that you do."
Lynn was living her dream in Vail. She had a job she loved and many very close friends.
At approximately 6:30 p.m., Sunday, Lynn, 26, of Eagle-Vail, was killed while traveling with a companion on Highway 82. The car hydroplaned and rolled several times. She was pronounced dead at Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs
Hired in 1997 as part of the interior design team at Slifer Designs, Lynn transferred to the interior architecture department as a project manager last year. She worked on many high-profile projects as a designer for interior architecture details, fixed finishes and construction documents.
Several of the projects she was working on that she was very excited about were the renovation of the Vail Chapel, Main Street Junction in Breckenridge, the Ritz Carlton in Aspen Highlands and Castle Harbour in Bermuda. She is remembered as an incredible team player by the members in her department as well as throughout the entire company.
A native of Oklahoma, Lynn attended the University of Oklahoma's College of Architecture, where she received a Bachelor of Interior Design in 1997. She was on the Dean's Honor Roll in the spring of 1996. Also that year, she studied interior design abroad at the University of Central England.
Prior to moving to Vail, Lynn held a variety of designed-related jobs. At Cyberia Cafe in London, Lynn provided the design and space planning in 1996. She also worked for Haldeman Powell and Partners and BBC Designs, both located in Dallas, Texas.
Lynn was the President of the American Society of Interior Designers Student Chapter from 1992-1997, served on the Dean's Task Leadership board in 1996 as served as the Philanthropy chairman of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority from 1994-1995. Lynn's philanthropic involvement also led her to volunteer for the Interfaith Housing Coalition from 1992 to 1995.
In Eagle County, Lynn volunteered for the Buddies Program, for who she recently organized within Slifer Designs. She was also a volunteer of the Make A Wish Foundation since 1996.
Lynn's family from Oklahoma and Dallas will be traveling to Vail for a memorial service, which will tentatively take place at the Vail Chapel Wednesday afternoon.
Lynn is survived by her father Gary Lynn of Dallas, mother Judy Lynn, of Wichita, Kan., sister Katie Lynn Patterson, of Dallas, and brother Thomas Lynn, of Dallas.
In lieu of flowers, please send donation to either the Make A Wish Foundation at 1241 South Parker Road, Suite 100, Denver, CO 80231 or the Eagle County Buddies Program at PO Box 2558, Avon, CO 81620.
The last passage of Lynn's e-mail message reads: Don't forget that there are so many things that are wonderful, rare and unique about you. And do remember that if you can search within to find a smile...that smile will always be a reflection of the way people feel about you."
