While TikTok videos are beloved for a variety of reasons, many people have turned toTikTokers for inspiration in the kitchen.
And one of the most beloved food creators on the app was TikToker Lynn Yamada Davis. Lynn was a 67-year-old ray of sunshine on the app when she would create lively cooking videos her followers loved to watch.
@cookingwithlynja @MaxwellHouse’s instant latte is delicious and saves time #MaxwellHousePartner
♬ original sound – Lynja
@cookingwithlynja Cooking Dinosaur ????
♬ original sound – Lynja
@cookingwithlynja Buffalo Wings ????
♬ original sound – Lynja
Sadly, The New York Times is reporting that Lynn has passed away. According to her daughter, Hannah Marino Shofet, Lynn was battling esophageal cancer.
She died on New Year’s Day. Her son made an emotional announcement confirming her passing on the app:
@cookingwithlynja You’re the best mom I could have ever asked for but an even better friend. I love you mom ❤️
♬ original sound – Lynja
“Her final moments were super peaceful and thankfully, she was surrounded by the people she loved most, her friends and family.”
According to The Times, Lynn was first diagnosed with throat cancer in 2019. It wasn’t until two years later, in 2021, that she learned it was esophageal cancer.
@cookingwithlynja Truffle Hunting with my boy @nick.digiovanni and my girl Sally
♬ original sound – Lynja
The beloved mom and grandmother had no idea what TikTok was until her son, a videographer, introduced the app to her. The TikToker began to share videos as a form of entertainment during Covid.
And over the last nearly four years, Lynn’s social media fame has witnessed massive growth. To this day, the late TikToker has more than 17 million followers and more than 10 million subscribers on YouTube.
But despite being known for her cooking videos, Lynn was an MIT and Columbia graduate and had a successful career as an engineer. “She had this whole chapter as a groundbreaking female engineer, and she was very proud of that,” her daughter told The New York Times.
@cookingwithlynja Chocolate Blueberry Jawns
♬ original sound – Lynja
At the time of her passing, Lynn is a mother of four and a grandmother of two. Though you could argue she was a grandmother to millions with many of her followers admittedly wishing Lynn was their grandmother too.
It was those comments that Lynn loved the most, she once told People. But perhaps the best part about her new found fame as a TikToker was that it had become a family affair.
@cookingwithlynja Ramen Bolognese with lynja immi ramen! Check it out
♬ original sound – Lynja
“It’s definitely a big family affair for us, and it’s very nice. We have lots of family memories from this time. It’s just wonderful.”
And although Lynn is the one people look for, she admits it’s really her son that is to thank for all her success. “He’s the one who writes the script. He’s the one who does the videography. He does all the editing. So, he really is the genius behind Cooking with Lynja. I just show up.”
Our hearts break for Lynn’s family.
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