By LYNETTE HAALAND
Four Points News
Former choir teacher at Canyon Ridge Middle School Mackenzie (Malone) Linsey passed away the morning of July 28 due to childbirth complications.
“Kenzie was a loyal, fun-loving, supportive, hardworking, talented, and generous wife, friend, daughter, and most recently, mother,” said Courtney Kelly, former Canyon Ridge Middle School choir director and current Vista Ridge High School choir associate director. “Her love language was service and she would do ANYTHING to ensure others felt welcome, celebrated, and loved. Her friendship and positive influence on students will forever be felt and missed.”
Mackenzie student-taught at CRMS and served as an associate director from 2015-2018. She then served as associate director at Cedar Park High School. She was loved by students and community members, Kelly said.
Mackenzie unfortunately passed away on July 28, 2022 due to multiple complications following the birth of her firstborn son, Tyler, who was welcomed into this world just 12 days prior.
The GoFundMe entitled “Help the Linsey Family After Tragic Loss” (www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-linsey-family-after-tragic-loss) shares:
“On July 28th, Phil and baby Tyler lost the most important person in their lives: Mackenzie. Mackenzie was a beautiful wife, fiercely loyal friend, determined worker, talented artist, and most recently, loving mother.
They became a family of three when Tyler was born on July 16th, 2022. Following his birth, Mackenzie underwent multiple surgeries and was met with complication after complication. Every day brought a new challenge. Mackenzie fought hard for 12 days in the hospital, mostly while in the ICU, and ultimately lost her life due to these complications.”
While Mackenzie was in the ICU, Phil also learned that his company laid off 50% of their employees and unfortunately, he lost his job, according to the fundraising page.
“Phil will quickly be met with medical bills, memorial expenses, newborn expenses, and the general cost of living. As a new father, he will also likely need help with childcare,” the page states.
The Texas Tech University Music Education community is also mourning the loss of one of their alumni.
Mackenzie completed her undergraduate bachelor of music degree in music education at Texas Tech in 2015 and was a choral director in Leander ISD at CRMS and CPHS for several years before she left music education to pursue a career in the world of technology in December 2020. Prior to her passing, she was working as a team lead and learning consultant for Hone.
“Mackenzie’s passion and enthusiasm for music, creativity, technology, teaching, learning, and life will be missed by all who knew and cared for her,” according to the TTU Music Education community post.
A celebration of Mackenzie’s life at Red Horn Coffee House and Brewing Company in Cedar Park was held on August 2.
“Mackenzie was always the first person to give of her time and talents to help others in need,” according to the GoFundMe page. “Mackenzie will be deeply missed, but never forgotten and we will be sure of that.”
