Lindsey Marie Okoroafo

Dr. Lindsey Marie Okoroafo (Jesnek), age 34, of District Heights, Maryland, passed away unexpectedly on June 30, 2020.

Lindsey was born May 14, 1986 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She graduated from Forest Hills Northern High School where she excelled in the classroom and on the soccer field. She earned an athletic scholarship to Tiffin University where she played soccer and completed her bachelor’s degree with honors. Lindsey went on to receive her master’s degree in English from Indiana State University, while fulfilling a graduate assistantship. For the next 3 years she taught at Vincennes University. In May 2017, Lindsey was awarded a doctorate in humanities from the University of Louisville. She accepted a position as the editor for the U.S. Department of Energy and moved to Washington D.C. in March 2018. Becoming editor at the D.O.E was her dream job, and she was passionate about her work there until her death.

Lindsey had a big heart and always made sure to put the people she cared about first. She was committed to excelling at everything she did. Music, being outdoors, working in the yard or working out, brought her great joy. She was a deep thinker and a master wordsmith. Lindsey possessed a wonderful sense of humor and enjoyed time with friends, family and her two loyal, furry companions, Pearl and Stanley.

Lindsey is preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, James VanOosten and paternal grandfather, Jerry Jesnek. She is survived by her mother, Cathie Daane, Grandmother Mary Jane VanOosten, Aunt Jamie (Robert) Jedele, cousins Heather, Paul, Tim and Mark, Aunt Patti (Steve) Bohatch, cousins Katya and Reesie. Lindsey is also survived by her father, Steve (Rose) Jesnek, Grandmother Peggy Keenan, Aunt Lori (Seymour) Jesnek, cousin Ethan Jaffee, and half-siblings Breeann, and Mitchell.

Lindsey – your light shined brighter than you ever knew! You will be deeply missed!

Due to COVID and out of respect and concern for the safety of Cathie’s family, they will be holding a private memorial service.

Steve’s family will be holding a memorial service and celebration at 3 p.m., Thursday, July 16 at 5000 South Quail Crest Drive, Grand Rapids, 49546. The dress is summer casual while shorts and summer dresses are encouraged. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Lindsey’s life. Candidate for Diaconate, Michael Hollern, will be presiding.

In lieu of flowers, Lindsey would have preferred donations to any of the following: A special division for suicide prevention is being set up in Lindsey’s name, at Transcendence Psychological & Consultative Services, called Lindsey’s Love. Donations can be sent to Dr. Donitra Ross at 8750 Georgia Avenue 1410B Silver Spring, MD  20910;  the Humane Society of the United States, (HSUS) https://www.humanesociety.org/ or The Trevor Project at https://www.thetrevorproject.org/