Bahá’í World/Volume 20/Shirley Lindstrom

From Bahaiworks

[Page 920]

SHIRLEY LIND STROM

(Adaz Ayamdagoot) 1 9 3 7—1 9 8 8

Shirley Lindstrom was born to Peter and Agnes Johns of Carcross, Yukon, Canada, on 19 July 1937. She was a member of the Daxlawedi clan under the Gooch (Wolf) nation moiety of the Tlingit people. Her tribal name, Adaz Ayamdagoot, meant “it got up with a purpose and walked away from there”. She lived up to this name by embracing the Bahá’í Faith in 1963 and walking with the purpose of taking the Faith throughout the world.

Shirley was raised in the Carcross area. During 1957 she married Claire Lindstrom and together they raised a family of six children: Darla—Jean, Beverly, Ralph, Calvin, Colin, and Tim. She was a wonderful, loving mother, not only to her children but to the many people With whom she came in contact. She always had time to hear a person’s joys or sorrows and to assist in the healing process of that individual.

Shirley and Cal moved to Stewart Crossing in the Yukon, and during this time they became Bahá’ís. Several Bahá’í travelling teachers had given the message to Shirley, but it was not until her father, aunt, and other elders accepted the Faith that she declared her belief in Bahá’u’lláh. Once they embraced this truth, Shirley and Cal moved to Mayo to open this community to the Faith, and assisted in the formation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Mayo. Shirley served on this sacred institution for many years.

Shortly after becoming a Bahá’í, Shirley made her first pilgrimage to Haifa, Israel, to Visit the sacred shrines and lands of the Faith. It was the incredible love and strength she received that drew her back to the World Centre a second and third time. On her second pilgrimage she also Visited the House of the Báb in _S__hiréz, lrén. She was one of the first indigenous North Americans to Visit the birthplace of the Bahá’í Faith.

[Page 921]IN MEMORIAM

Shirley’s thirst to serve the Cause of Baha’u’llah took her to many places around the world, such as to Mexico and Europe, and she travelled extensively throughout Canada and the United States. Because of her 1ove for her Indian brothers and sisters and her desire for their spiritual education, she served as the director of the Fort Qu’Appelle Institute for two years. She was a major participant in the proclamation in the Yukon in the early 1970s, which resulted in the enrolment of more than 100 Bahá’ís. She made every effort to educate the people who accepted Baha’u’llah. These efforts finally led to the construction of the Yukon Bahá’í Institute at Lake LaBarge—a dream come true.

Shirley served Baha’u’llah in many ways. She was entrusted by the people of the Yukon to act as their representative at the sacred elections of the National Spiritual Assembly. She carried out this duty with dignity, love, respect, and honour. In the latter part of the 19703, she became an assistant to the Auxiliary Board member for the Yukon, Howard Brown of Alaska. She served in this capacity until 1985, when she herself was asked to take on the duties and responsibilities of an Auxiliary Board member.

Shirley’s life was devoted to the service of this mighty Cause, a service which she carried out joyfully. She was constantly moving from one area to another until, shortly after returning from a teaching trip, she was hospitalized and was no 1onger able to travel.

By becoming a well-known and devoted international Bahá’í teacher, Shirley lived up to her Indian name. She moved with a purpose and a strong conviction the world over, spreading the healing Message of Baha’u’llah. She will always be regarded as a valiant, noble servant of His Cause and will continue to be honoured and loved by those many nations to whom she was a guest. Even in her times of suffering and illness, she continued to be a selfless and radiant spirit, passing away peacefully in her sleep on 17 August 1988.

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After her death, a tribal elder bestowed Shirley’s name upon the Yukon College. Thus her name lives on, giving knowledge and enlightenment to the people.

MARK WEDGE