Lindsay Marie (Waples) Himmetoglu

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Lindsay Marie (Waples) Himmetoglu on October 29, 2024. After battling triple negative breast cancer with immense courage and positivity for close to five years, she was surrounded and held by her husband, parents, and siblings as she was called to Heaven. Lindsay was an incredible mother and human being. She was truly a gift to the world and all those whose lives she touched.

Lindsay was born to Gary and Jodi on December 10, 1983, in Goleta, CA. The oldest of five children, she grew up in Santa Ynez, CA, where she enjoyed an idyllic childhood filled with sunny afternoons outdoors, many cozy hours reading, lots of furry friends, and countless family events, holidays, and camping trips with her large and loving extended family. She was active in 4-H, raising rabbits, sheep, and steers, and played soccer from a young age through high school. After graduating from Bishop Garcia Diego High School, she attained a BA in Forensic Anthropology from Sonoma State University and a BS in Nursing from National University.

Lindsay loved all things “baby,” so working as a Labor and Delivery Nurse at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara was a dream come true for her. She worked there for many years, helping deliver countless babies. There she developed an interest in supporting breastfeeding mothers and infants, which became one of her greatest passions. She was an invaluable example and support to her sisters and friends as they learned to nurse their babies; she was also pursuing certification as a lactation consultant.

In 2014, Lindsay met the love of her life, Burak Himmetoglu, and they married soon thereafter. She and Burak settled in Goleta, CA and welcomed a son, Lev Emre, followed by a daughter, Eva Mae. Family was Lindsay’s reason to be and her children were everything to her. They were her greatest joy and the reason for her unbelievable strength and grace through all that years of fighting cancer brought. Witnessing the dedication, love, and joy with which she parented Lev and Eva was a gift, and they are her enduring legacy.

Lindsay had the warmest of hearts and a radiant smile. She had a nurturing soul and found great meaning and joy in caring for others, particularly through cooking and baking. To savor one of her beautiful cakes or salads was to know that love is the secret ingredient. She was quick to offer help, even while battling cancer and raising two children. She was also a “connector”—with open arms and a cheerful, kind spirit, she had a special ability to make friends and connect people from various areas of her life.

Lindsay was also a creative soul and talented artist who found peace in painting as she endured cancer treatments. Beyond the homes of family and friends, her art can also be found bringing beauty and whimsy to patients at several local medical facilities.

As we grapple with the loss of Lindsay’s physical presence, we find solace in knowing that her spirit lives on through her children, her art, and the love she gave so generously. We hold tearfully and dearly to so many beautiful stories of Lindsay as a mother, daughter, wife, sister, and friend. We will tell them over and over to Lev and Eva, so that her warmth, generosity, and love is ever present in their lives. If you feel so moved, please reach out and share your memories of Lindsay with us.

Lindsay is survived by her husband and children (Burak, Lev, Eva), her parents, Gary and Jodi (Marchiando) Waples, her siblings, Kelsey Jowett (Dustin, Paxton, Lola, Beau), Tracey Howe (Ryan), Whitney Batikian (John, Blakely), Bradley (Kara), and her maternal grandparents, James and Lola Marchiando, as well numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was predeceased by her paternal grandparents, Howard and Margaret Waples.

A Celebration of Life will be held on January 12, 2025. Please contact her family at

LWHCelebrationofLife@gmail.com for details.