Lindsay Tamminga was returning home with a young man after their first date when she was struck by an oncoming car.

The car fled, leaving the 23-year-old for dead on Creditview Dr. on Sept. 16, just a few blocks from the modest bungalow she shared with her parents Angela and Ed.

On Saturday, she died.

But her spirit lives on because she donated her organs.

"And so, I presume, there are people walking around today who are living a healthier, fuller life because they benefited" from the life-giving donations, her uncle, Fred Kuntz said, Monday.

"You have to believe there's a good story there, where she was able to do something for others even after she was gone," said the former top newspaper editor who worked at the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Waterloo Region Record and, in his early days, the Toronto Sun.

Kuntz said Lindsay was expected to graduate by Christmas from Halifax's Centre for Distance Education in medical office administration. She worked full time at a Mr. Sub outlet on Derry Rd.

"It was her ambition to work in a doctor's office," he said. "So she's working, she's getting her driver's licence, she's going to school online and she's on a first date. Everything in her life is lining up beautifully. And this happens."

Angela Tamminga is recovering from groundbreaking surgery to deal with her Multiple Sclerosis.

Kuntz said his family is close and had a large family reunion in Sauble Beach during the summer.

"I thought she was a spark," Kuntz said. "Some people just have brighter eyes.and that was Lindsay. She packed a lot of personality in that small frame."

He said Lindsay had an outspoken side but also was a shoulder for her friends to cry on.

"She cared about people," Kuntz said of the animal lover. "She had a soft side.

"Her father described her as pastoral," he said. "She had this quality of being very compassionate and reaching out to people who needed help.

"There's a lot faith in this family," he said. "These are church-going people who believe life has higher meaning and Lindsay's gone to be with her grandfather."

Visitation for Lindsay will be held 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday. A service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Simple Alternative, 7732 Mavis Rd., Brampton.

Jose Cobaria, 58, of Mississauga, is charged with failing to remain at the scene of an accident causing death. He appears in Brampton court on Oct. 18.