‘Her laugh is so contagious’: Friend remembers woman killed in Buffalo shooting, works to help victims’ families

In the wake of Tuesday’s shooting at Allina Crossroads Clinic in Buffalo, friends and coworkers are remembering Lindsay Overbay.

“Her laugh was just contagious,” recalled Nayia Stubbe, a friend since 2004. “It was the best. So unique, so amazing.”

Overbay was a medical assistant, passionate about caring for others, Stubbe said. She was a wife and mother with an 8-year-old boy and a 5-year-old girl.

Overbay died after she was transported to another hospital.

Allina Health issued a statement, which says, in part:

“We are devastated. With overwhelming sadness, we can confirm Lindsay Overbay lost her life to this senseless act of violence. The loss of Lindsay is traumatic for all who knew and loved her."

“She was the best mom in the world. She loved her children more than anything in the world," Stubbe said. “She was very caring. She cared about everyone, took care of everyone. She was just a great person.”

Stubbe has set up a GoFundMe page to support Overbay’s family.

She said they are thankful.

“They’re overwhelmed by all the support and love she’s been getting through this,” Stubbe said. “Even, like, messages people have been writing with their donation.”

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Others are also rallying around the families of the victims.

“I think everybody’s kind of in shock,“ said Greg Laney. “Everybody wants to help do something.”

Laney has also set up a GoFundMe to provide food and support for the families.

His wife, Jessica, works at the clinic as a lab technician.

Tuesday, she had the day off, but on Wednesday she went back to work at another clinic.

"If you’re with your family members, hug them, tell them you love them," Laney said quietly.

On Wednesday, Allina Health released the name of Sherry Curtis, a licensed practical nurse with Allina since 2013, as one of those injured.

Allina isn’t releasing information about Curtis’s condition.

The health care provider does say one person remains in critical condition, one person is in fair condition, one person is in good condition, and one person has been treated and released.

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS spoke briefly with Lindsay Overbay’s husband, Donald, on the phone.

He graciously declined to comment, except to say he wants to spend time with his children.

Laney said he hopes his fundraising efforts will make a difference to the families of the injured.

“They’re all part of the community, and they care for us and now it’s time to care for them,” he declared. “The little things that are important… when you’re holding hands, laughing, smiling. You’re together and you should embrace this moment because you never know what will happen at any time.”

Overbay’s family issued the following statement Thursday:

"We would like to express a sincere thank you to our community for the outpouring of love and prayers that we have received. The overwhelming number of Go Fund Me donors, many who never met Lindsay, is a testament of the support our community has for dedicated health professionals like Lindsay. Thank you law enforcement and first responders for your compassionate and dedicated response to the tragedy. To the staff of Allina Health Clinic-Buffalo and Hennepin Health, your heroic efforts to save Lindsay’s life will forever hold a special place in our hearts.

"Lindsay was a dedicated mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. her laughter, abundant and loud, would echo through hallways. Her legacy will live on in the hearts of her children.

"We would like to extend our thoughts and prayers to the other four victims and their families. #LindsayStrong"