‘She definitely broke barriers’: Colleagues, friends, family and supporters remember Mia Love at visitation

SALT LAKE CITY — A crowd of mourners filled the capitol rotunda Sunday to pay their respects to former Utah Congresswoman Mia Love’s family.

A laying-in-state service was held for the former representative.

People who stood in the long line to pay their respects smiled and teared up reflecting on Mia Love’s contributions to their lives, and the lives of Utahns.

“She’s an amazing example of perseverance to me,” said friend DeLaina Tonks.

Tonks, who is executive director of Mountain Heights Academy, said she met Love 15 years ago. They attended a monthly meeting together with other women in politics.

Tonks remarked on Love’s candor and refreshing sense of humor.

“She always brought the joy and just such a vibrant, vibrant lady,” she said. “Just a lot of fun to be around. And she kept it real. Told it like it was.”

She said Love helped her navigate her own political run.

Tonks said Love taught her a valuable lesson.

“One of the most famous things that she has said is one of the things that her dad said to her, ‘You will give back,” Tonks said. “And that’s what she’s taught her kids. That’s what she’s taught my children.

Pastor Greg Johnson was also in attendance Sunday night. He wore a bright orange Mia Love congressional campaign shirt.

“Mia Love was one of those kind of people that, as a Latter-day Saint political leader, gave room for evangelical leaders to have a seat at the table,” Johnson said.

He said she helped bring different communities together. He met her while she was mayor of Saratoga Springs, then worked with her when she can for Congress and wanted to connect with evangelical voters.

“I think she definitely broke barriers,” he said. “I mean, the fact that she’s the first African-American female Republican in Congress is a huge, noteworthy recognition for her.”

Johnson said she accomplished a lot in her 49 years.

“I’m just sad that her time on this earth was so short,” he said.

He and others in the long line of people waiting to pay their respects said she will be known in Utah and internationally as a powerhouse for good.

“I loved hearing over the past two weeks, people calling from all over the world to support Mia and to let the family know that she’s made a difference in their lives, a lot of them that I don’t think she even realized,” Tonks said. “And it’s a little sad that you don’t realize that until after they’re gone.”

Love’s memorial service starts at 10 a.m. Monday. It’s open to the public and will be at the Institute of Religion on the University of Utah campus.

Related: Tributes pour in at the news of Rep. Mia Love’s death