‘She will live on’: Family, friends honor former U.S. Rep. Mia Love

SALT LAKE CITY  (ABC4) — Family and friends gathered today to honor Former U.S. Representative Mia Love (R-Utah) who passed away due to brain cancer at the age of 49.

The former lawmaker from Utah, a daughter of Haitian immigrants, had undergone treatment for an aggressive

brain tumor called glioblastoma and received immunotherapy as part of a clinical trial. She died March 23 at her home in Saratoga Springs. Her family released a statement saying she wasn’t responding to treatment.

From highlighting her political legacy to being an inspiration to many, Monday’s memorial service at the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints Institute of Religion at the University of Utah celebrated Love’s impact on the community.

Family and friends of former U.S. Rep. Mia Love gathered Monday in Salt Lake City to honor the life and legacy. (Credit: Kade Garner/ABC4 News)

Utah Lt. Gov. Henderson remembers her dear friend

Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson (R-Utah) says Love was her dear friend and always turned to her for advice during her early political career. She said they bonded over their shared love for music, Utah and America.

Lt. Gov. Henderson recalled Love’s words to her after being diagnosed with brain cancer. “I’ve decided that I am not going to die. I’ve decided that I’m actually going to live. She was on the treadmill just two weeks after brain surgery ensuring that she could be as healthy as she could be,” Henderson said.

“Of all my memories of Mia, the dearest to me are those times during the past three years when we were there for each other during those toughest moments. She needed her friends and we needed her,” Henderson said as she addressed Monday’s gathering.

Jason Love, Mia’s husband, talks about her passion for music and dance

Jason Love, Mia’s husband, noted that Mia wanted her memorial service to be a celebration of life. He described discovering her influence after he tried to return the many toasters the couple received as wedding gifts and failing because he did not have receipts. His wife then entered the store and came out three minutes later with cash in hand.

“I thought, ‘Wow, I have married a Jedi knight,’” he said with a laugh.

Jason said Mia was an extraordinary mother and always encouraged her children to have faith, work hard and be kind to others. “I tried to keep this woman to myself for so many years, but I failed. I just couldn’t contain her. She had been taught at an early age to not be a burden on society and to give back,” Love added.

Brave human being: Cynthia Brito shares Mia’s memories

“Mia has never shied away from hard work and exceeding.” Cynthia Brito said her sister was always persistent and loved giving back to society. She shared her childhood memories, including how Love used to rehearse all day and night for starring roles in her school plays.

“Because of the example she had on my children, my daughter was brave enough to step up, stand up and land her voice,” Brito added.

On Sunday evening, state leaders and members of the public visited the Utah Capitol to pay their respects at Love’s flag-covered coffin behind ropes in the building’s rotunda.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.