Lynda P. Faldmo
March 23, 1949 - May 26, 2022
Salt Lake City, UT – Lynda P Faldmo died on May 26, 2022 after a brief illness, while receiving quality care from the doctors and staff at the University of Utah hospital, the very place where she spent her career serving and caring for patients, doctors, and staff for many years. Her final days were spent surrounded by her loving family including her husband Duane H. Gillman, and her children, Richard Faldmo and Lara Katzman. Lynda was born March 23, 1949 and was raised in Salt Lake City, UT by her adoring parents Clarence L. Peterson and Barbara B. Peterson. Her parents provided a loving household throughout her childhood and supported in all of her challenges and achievements.
Throughout Lynda’s life, she took every chance possible to express the love she held for her son and daughter as well as her two grandchildren, Noah and Abrah. She put great value into teaching her family by example through a message of Love and Service. For her son Rich, Lynda gave unconditional support and counsel through all of his endeavors with great loving care. For her daughter Lara, Lynda saw her become an excellent mother to her own children and she deeply admired the spirit of service her daughter continues to give. Lynda loved watching her grandchildren grow into highly successful, intelligent, and poised young adults and her life was enriched by the close relationship she had with them. Later in her life, Lynda developed a close relationship with her sister Michelle Pell, a high school teacher who lives in South Korea.
Lynda shared the last ten years of her remarkable life with her husband Duane, and she gave to him the happiest years of his life. Within their loving relationship, they supported each other in every way imaginable. Lynda offered valuable guidance and counsel to her husband both professionally and personally. Their companionship can only be described as a gift from God in which they shared everything together, from the challenges to the celebrations and from the court room to the golf course.
Lynda proudly earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Utah in 1982. Her nursing career at the U hospital progressed all the way from the emergency room to the position of Chief Nurse in the Intermountain Burn Center. It was during this time that Lynda offered her gift of service. The excellent care she and her team gave to patients lead to the recognition that the U Burn Center was the finest in the region.
When Lynda was 42 years old, she made a brave decision to further her own education and used her life savings and retirement savings to begin attending law school. Upon completion of her legal education at the University of Utah in 1994, she returned to serving the U hospital in the position as Director of Risk Management. While in that position, she worked to serve the doctors and other medical staff by responding to, and managing all malpractice claims for the entire hospital and medical school. During this time, she worked tirelessly to assess, negotiate, and determine the most fair and just outcomes possible for both patients, doctors, and medical staff involved. During the 20 years she served in this position, the great care she gave to her work resulted in no increases in malpractice insurance cost to the university hospital despite that there were significant increases in patient care during the same time period. As was her service as a registered nurse, Lynda performed the highest quality work possible in the position of risk management.
She is survived by her loving husband Duane H. Gillman, her son Richard Lynn Faldmo (Tammy Wright), her daughter and son in law Lara and Ron Katzman, her grandchildren Noah and Abrah Katzman, and her half-sister Michelle H. Pell.
A program celebrating Lynda’s life of love and service will be held at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East in Salt Lake City, Utah on Saturday June 4th at 3pm followed by a celebration of her life from 4-6pm at the same location. All who were touched by Lynda’s love and service are welcomed to join in celebration and sharing of stories. The service will be live-streamed and may be viewed by returning to this page where a “Watch Service Live” button will appear. The service will remain on here for all to watch on demand. In lieu of flowers, donations to the University of Utah Medical Center in Lynda Faldmo’s name are appreciated.
In Loving Memory
Duane, I am truly heartbroken to learn of Lynda's passing. She was my mentor and friend for many years and leaves a huge void in my heart. I know you, her kids and grandchildren are hearbroken as well. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Dear Duane, Rich, Tammy, Lara, Ron, Abrah, and Noah, I cannot even begin to describe how very sad I am. My heart hurts so much. I am so happy that I found Lynda and that she is my sister. Finding her was one of the best things that ever happened to me. This sounds way too hippie, I suppose, but I have to admit that I do believe there are certain paths in life that one has to follow. I don't want to believe this, but I do believe that the universe sometimes directs where we are to go. I loved her so much. She was beautiful and kind and compassionate and so smart and accomplished. She had such drive and drive toward the good. I could not have asked for a better sister. I just wish I would have had her for longer. My thoughts are with you in your grief. She was such a special person. I will miss her intensely. Love, Michelle
Lynda was my first nurse manager at the U of U Burn Center. She holds a very special place in my heart. She believed in me as a new grad and constantly was loving and encouraging. She laughed with us, cried with us, ran with us when someone needed held and was always there to give you a hug when needed. She was one of the best and I was blessed the day she hired me and was blessed to have worked with her. Godspeed Lynda! Love ya��
Uncle Duane and Rich, I cannot express my sorrow at you both losing Linda. I only met Linda the one time but she was delightful and I really liked her a lot. I have a committment on Saturday that I can't get out of so I won't be able to join you to celebrate her life but know my thoughts will be with you that day. Rich, you will always be my step cousin in law, see you at work.
I've never gotten to know Lynda as well as I would have liked because my father, her uncle Bob, left Salt Lake to attend the Naval Academy. We lived in faraway Arlington, Viginia until he retired. But when I got to spend time with her, she was so warm and supportive that I immediately loved her. I very much admired her commitment to those she cared for in the burn unit at her hospital to the point that she studied law and became a lawyer to help defend the hospital against lawsuits. She will remain in our hearts forever. Please accept my sincerest condolances.
The last time I saw my cousin Lynda was at my aunt Janet's funeral in Salt Lake a number of year's ago. We had dinner together and talked and talked. Because I lived in California and now Oregon, I saw her infrequently, but when I did it was like we were best friends. She had a warm, caring personality that I will never forget. She was a super achiever but completely down to earth. I will miss her and think of her always.
Dear Duane, I was deeply saddened to see Linda's obituary and her passing! My thoughts and prayers are with you and her family as you mourn your loss! You and Linda were not only patrons of Forest Dale Golf Course, we became friends over the years as you were Saturday and Sunday morning regulars! Linda was always so generous with her hugs and compliments and was genuinely interested about others! You two were meant for each other and just enjoyed being together at the course. I enjoyed watching the video of Linda's beautifully done tribute to her accomplishments and life well lived. I had no idea she pursued a law degree putting it to good use in defending the medical providers at the University of Utah Medical Center. May God bless and comfort you! Linda set a good example for us all to follow and will not be forgotten!
I am so very sorry to hear about the loss of such a great person. I worked with Lynda at the University and was witness to her kind and caring nature. She was very passionate about providing a safe place for our patients and support for our providers. My thoughts are with all of you and my heartfelt appreciation for sharing her with all of us.
Duane, Lara & Rich, Lynda moved next door to my family on Bryan Avenue when I was in my teens. We immediately became friends no "Best Friends". She was so loving and her door was always open. She had a small round table in her kitchen which we used for studying. I was studying for my high school classes and Lynda was studying to get her nursing degree. Her drive, compassion and love were overwhelming. She always led me & others down the right path. She knew where I was in life each day and she was able to steer me in the right direction. We loved to golf, go to dinner and just talk about anything and everything. "Lynda you will be forever missed" Jeanie Gamble Underwood Scottsdale, AZ
RIP Lynda and our condolences to Rich and his family. Lynda was always polite and kind to us.
we were so sad �� to hear of your beautiful wifes passing!! We loved �� having you both at the golf ⛳️ course and know how much you both are loved!!! I hope that you Duane will continue to come--may you feel Gods love and ours also!!
In Loving Memory
