A crowd of grieving friends, colleagues, and family members gathered in Spanish Fork on Sunday evening for a candlelight vigil to honor Katrina Gubler Long. Long was among five family members lost in a devastating suspected flash-flooding event in Wayne County over the weekend. For those who knew her, the tragedy is particularly poignant given her deep love for the wilderness; she spent much of her free time hiking, camping, and exploring the very canyons that ultimately claimed her life.

Those who worked alongside Long described her as a powerhouse entrepreneur who balanced a sharp business mind with an immense capacity for empathy. As the co-founder of Summit Medical Spa, she sought to revolutionize the industry by creating a sanctuary specifically tailored for first responders. Having seen the toll that emergency service work took on people like her husband, Provo Fire Captain Spencer Long, she dedicated her professional resources to ensuring firefighters and search and rescue teams had a safe place to process their grief and trauma.

Beyond her professional achievements, Long was remembered as the heartbeat of a vibrant blended family. Whether she was acting as a devoted hockey mom for her younger sons or supporting soon-to-be parents through personal struggles, she lived with a level of generosity that left those around her feeling secure and cared for. Her business partner, Sam Butler, recalled how Long’s strong values provided a sense of safety not only for their staff but for everyone who entered their orbit.

The loss has left a void across multiple communities, from the medical spa world to the local firefighting circles. While authorities continue to investigate the exact circumstances of the disaster in Wayne County, those mourning focus instead on the legacy of adventure and kinship she left behind. Many attendees at the vigil noted that while it is heartbreaking to lose such a dynamic force, they remain grateful for the example of unconditional love and courage she modeled throughout her life.