Lea Nicole Christiansen

Lea Nicole Christiansen, 25, of Missoula and formerly of Livingston, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016, at her home in Missoula.

Lea was born Jan. 3, 1991, in Missoula. She graduated from Park High School as valedictorian in 2009. She went on to study art education at the University of Montana in Missoula, where she graduated with high honors in 2014. She then completed her student teaching at the Kodaikanal International School in Tamil Nadu, India.

Lea accomplished more in her short 25 years than most of us will in a lifetime. She was a gift to the world with her loving spirit, gentle ways with kids, and art that transformed and inspired.

“Lea was a fantastic student in several of my photography classes at the University of Montana. The type of student I wish I could have cloned. Lea was engaged, creative, inquisitive, hardworking, vocal, gentle and always present. She was also the most trustworthy and hardworking work-study student I have ever employed. I so enjoyed following her adventures in India after she graduated with her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of Art. Lea was a beautiful soul. Lea, I trust you are in a better place.”

She was a very humble and loving soul, having tutored a homeless kindergarten student at the Women’s Opportunity Resource Development Center in Missoula, which none of her family knew about until her passing. That was very typical of our Lea.

Lea is survived by her parents, Daniel Christiansen of Missoula and Sonya Neal Christiansen of Livingston; her brother, Luke Christiansen of Livingston; paternal grandparents, Howard "Chris" and Gail Christiansen of Missoula; maternal grandparents, Ruth and Duane Neal (who passed 23 hours after Lea) of Pray; many uncles and aunts, nieces and nephews; and an abundance of friends from around the world.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Shift Empowerment Youth Program, P.O. Box 193, Livingston, MT 59047, or shiftempowerment.org; Animal Control Shelter, 6700 Butler Creek Road, Missoula, MT 59808; or the Poverello Center, 1110 W. Broadway St., Missoula, MT 59802, thepoverellocenter.org.

A memorial service/art exhibit for Lea will be held in Livingston in the spring.

Fly away, sweet bird. We will miss you dearly.