[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 57 (Thursday, March 31, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E334-E335]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF LYNN MARIE HAMSTRA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. PAT FALLON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 31, 2022

  Mr. FALLON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and commemorate the 
life and service of Lynn Marie Hamstra. Lynn, with great courage and 
vigor, lived a full life of loving service to her family and her 
community. After four and a half years of fighting a fierce battle 
against an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer, Lynn peacefully passed 
into the arms of the Lord on March 26, 2022, surrounded by her loved 
ones. Lynn is survived by her husband, Daniel Hamstra; her daughter, 
Rachel Hamstra LeMier; her son-in-law, Ryan LeMier; her granddaughter, 
Olivia Lynn LeMier; her sons, Timothy Hamstra and Zachariah Hamstra; 
her mother, Adeline Coffey; her sisters, Laura (Coffey) Girgis and Lee 
Ellen (Coffey) Wilson; and her brothers, Larry and Tony Coffey.
  Lynn was born in Chicago on April 19, 1961 to Lawrence Raymond 
Coffey, Jr., and Adeline Frances Coffey. She was the oldest of five 
children and excelled in her role as the big sister. During her high 
school years at Hinsdale Central, Lynn was a world class

[[Page E335]]

cheerleader who not only found the time to cheer at her brother's games 
but also coach her sisters in cheer. After graduating from high school, 
she went on to attend Purdue University where she studied electrical 
engineering. During her collegiate years she met the love of her life 
Daniel Lee Hamstra who played baseball with her brother Larry at the 
University of Illinois. On the same night of their first meeting Dan 
pitched a no-hitter, the only one of his baseball career. Needless to 
say, it was a match made in heaven and just a few years later Dan and 
Lynn were married on July 26, 1986.
  Lynn and Dan thrived together, and their marriage was a model of 
fidelity, love, and devotion to all they encountered. Even in the midst 
of their busy lives Lynn and Dan managed, for over ten years, to make 
it to ballroom dancing classes. During the course of their thirty-five 
years of marriage Lynn and Dan had three beautiful children: Rachel 
Marie Hamstra, Timothy Lee Hamstra, and Zachariah Andrew Hamstra. Each 
of Lynn's children are uniquely gifted and had their own precious 
relationship with their mom. Each of the kids have a little bit of 
their mother that they will carry on. From her boisterous laugh and 
keen intuition to her strong convictions and creative streak.
  Lynn continued her education later in life and obtained a Master of 
Liberal Studies with a concentration in Art History from the Southern 
Methodist University in 2017. One of the proudest accomplishments of 
her life was her development of the ``Focused Looking'' program which 
was designed to help doctors to increase observation skills by taking a 
deeper look at a single piece of art for one hour. Lynn's graduate work 
was influential in both the art and medical fields. She leaves behind a 
legacy from this work that has blessed many patients and doctors alike.
  There is no doubt in my mind that this very special woman will be 
dearly missed. She lived a life full of joy in her marriage, her 
motherhood, professional and academic spheres. Lynn's husband, 
children, and family will carry all of her exemplary virtues as a 
little piece of Lynn lives on in each of their hearts.
  I have requested the United States flag be flown over our Nation's 
Capital to recognize Lynn Hamstra's well-lived and beautiful life. 
Furthermore, Madam Speaker, I extend my personal condolences to the 
Hamstra family for the loss of such an extraordinarily brave and loving 
woman. May God rest the soul of this great American.

                          ____________________