January 12
January 12
Happy heavenly birthday Linda! Miss you!
Linda Kao passed away on June 15, 2014. Linda's legacy is yet unfinished in the hundreds of hearts she personally touched and the millions of lives through her world-class work in epidemiology. As we share stories of Linda, we can all gain a greater appreciation for the depth and quality of her heart and soul.
In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family requests that donations be made to the Linda Kao Memorial Fund at http://www.jhsph.edu/giving/make-a-gift. Per Linda's wishes, the memorial service involved immediate family.
The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health held a public tribute event in her honor on October 15, 2014 at 4pm in the Sheldon Hall on campus. Over 180 friends, family, colleagues, and trainees attended this tremendous event filled with love and science. The video from this event is available at: https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/WeZkCA9VID6wXYUsV6tuV4CYJgqQZNNA2LUTY4CznUI
On June 1, 2015, Allison, Linda's beloved niece, graduated from McDonogh Middle School and started McDonogh Upper School (high school) in Fall 2015. Linda would be proud of her accomplishments: she has placed into all Honors mathematics and science courses; finished her freshman year on the Dean's List; and will be taking Chemistry this summer.
Linda's trainees in Genetic Epidemiology continue to succeed. Poojitha Balakrishnan and Mandy Li completed the Doctor of Philosophy Program in Epidemiology and graduated from The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health on May 21, 2015; they have both begun post-doctoral fellowships. Dr. Adrienne Tin, who completed her PhD and post-doctoral training with Linda, was appointed as an Assistant Scientist in the Department of Epidemiology at the Bloomberg School of Public Health. Linda's scientific legacy also continues in the peer-reviewed literature. Thirty-eight of her articles have been published since her passing.
Tributes
Leave a tribute
June 16, 2023
June 16, 2023
9 years. I miss your friendship and often, when I'm reflecting on how I am living my life, I think to myself that you would live life better. You still inspire me to be better.
June 15, 2023
June 15, 2023
Think of you often!
Miss you Linda!
Miss you Linda!
January 12, 2023
January 12, 2023
Thinking of you - happy birthday!
January 12, 2023
January 12, 2023
Thinking of you on your birthday Linda. Missing you dear friend.
June 16, 2022
June 16, 2022
Posting late, but I think of you often. I truly miss our runs on the trails training for which ever event we had signed up for. You niece has grown to be a beautiful young lady, smart as you are; you would be so proud! Miss you friend!
June 16, 2022
June 16, 2022
Posting a day late, but as Nisa noted, we thought of you and talked about your at Journal club yesterday - yes, the same one that Fred started and has been going for more than 25 years I believe. James Meigs remembered you fondly. We miss your contributions, your friendship and your smile.
June 15, 2022
June 15, 2022
I read a story the other day about friendship and how through time that friendship lasts even when the person is gone. As I reflect on how our friendship and close collaboration veered me into a direction, I would not have considered before I had met you. Thinking about you and other friends we lost as we come out of the pandemic and reengage in a new ways.
June 15, 2022
June 15, 2022
How has it been 8 years? We talked about it today during Journal Club. Wish we could have had your reflections on the ADA conference this year as it was unlike any other. You are missed.
January 12, 2022
January 12, 2022
Happy Birthday in Heaven dear friend! Miss our runs together!
June 15, 2021
June 15, 2021
Amazing it has been 7 years. So much has changed -yet so much remains the same. But there is no doubt that the world, and the little corner of it at Hopkins, would be better if you were still in it.
June 15, 2021
June 15, 2021
Well, we've missed you for 7 years now. Over the past year, I have kept wondering how you would have responded to our world events - the pandemic, a hateful president, constant reminders of racism, and more. We have missed out on your perspective and the example you would have set.
June 15, 2021
June 15, 2021
Miss you loads today! Cant stop tearing up when I see your pictures.
June 15, 2021
June 15, 2021
Missing you! I can't believe it has been it has been 7 years since you passed. Miss our runs! Your memory will live forever in me!
January 12, 2021
January 12, 2021
Thinking of you on your 49th birthday, Linda. Simply put, we just miss you. The world has missed out on a lot.
June 16, 2020
June 16, 2020
Miss you dear friend! I wonder what you thought about COVID19 Pandemic.
June 16, 2020
June 16, 2020
We are in the middle of a pandemic, crazy times. I was wondering the other day if you would have jumped in to become a COVID19 researcher or would have spent more time learning how to make past at home.
Missing you loads.
Missing you loads.
June 15, 2020
June 15, 2020
Hard to believe that it's been another year. Wish that we could talk through current events. I will always treasure our friendship.
January 12, 2020
January 12, 2020
Thinking of you on your birthday, Linda.
June 22, 2019
June 22, 2019
Miss you every day and always wonder what you would say in response to any question. I miss your smile.
June 15, 2019
June 15, 2019
Thinking of you and your family in a special way today, Linda.
June 15, 2019
June 15, 2019
Linda will always be in our hearts and thoughts. Such a wonderful person and the perfect mate to Warren. She was a blessing to all who knew her in all the ways she touched lives. Our sympathy to Warren today as this must be a difficult day for him.
June 15, 2019
June 15, 2019
Linda, there are no words to describe how we miss you each day.
June 12, 2019
June 12, 2019
I just returned from our MIT 25th Reunion for the Class of 1994. It was bittersweet. I wish that Linda could have been there with all of us. But we could all share our fond memories of you. Everyone spoke of your kindness, generosity, and intelligence.
January 12, 2019
January 12, 2019
Linda, I've thought about you so many times this year and shared stories with colleagues. You left us with great memories. Miss you.
January 19, 2018
January 19, 2018
I met Linda over her family's Thanksgiving dinner that I was invited to years back. Her family's hospitality, warmth, and spiritual unity is a comfort blanket for my early years staying in the States. I still remembered hearing how her husband would bring her homemade bakery treats all the time, a loving story I remembered to this day. Something to look up to and remember by, and I wished all the best for her family.
January 17, 2018
January 17, 2018
The plant that we received at Linda's memorial was blooming on her birthday (and still is).
June 15, 2017
June 15, 2017
So nice to look at all of the pictures and remember what a full life Linda had. Miss you.
June 15, 2017
June 15, 2017
I think about Linda so often. A bright light always.
June 15, 2017
June 15, 2017
Linda, how I miss running with you and sharing stories on the long runs...
You are forever missed.
Love you dear friend.....
You are forever missed.
Love you dear friend.....
January 12, 2017
January 12, 2017
Miss you Linda! The last piece of my thesis just got accepted for publication today. You planted a seed in me and now it grows.
January 12, 2017
January 12, 2017
Happy 45th dear Linda. I remember birthday dinners fondly. Your impact on us is ever-lasting!
January 11, 2017
January 11, 2017
I think of Linda everyday and miss her smile and laugh. I miss asking her thoughts on a multitude of things we talked about. Love you, Rulan
June 15, 2016
June 15, 2016
I didn't know Linda long, but I knew her well enough to appreciate her outstanding qualities of warmth and care, her love for Warren and joy in her marriage. Her legacy is inspiration to all who knew her.
.
.
January 13, 2016
January 13, 2016
The plant we brought home from Linda's memorial gathering started putting out flowers a few days before her birthday, which made me smile.
January 12, 2016
January 12, 2016
Thinking of you on your birthday. You are very much missed!
January 12, 2016
January 12, 2016
Remembering and missing Linda on her birthday. She left us too soon.
January 12, 2016
January 12, 2016
Remembering Linda on her 44th birthday...miss you, friend.
January 12, 2016
January 12, 2016
I still remember the day that Linda asked me whether I'm interested in this project. After 3 years effort, we finally submitted the manuscript last week. Thank you Linda for all the inspiration and encouragement.
January 12, 2016
January 12, 2016
Thinking of you today as always, sweet Linda.
January 12, 2016
January 12, 2016
Today would have been Linda's 44th birthday. I think about her every day. Even though my main thoughts are just about how she left us too early and how things would have been so different if she were still with us, I am inspired by her to strive to live a life in which I focus on the present. She enjoyed life to its fullest and was hopeful despite all circumstances. I am lucky to have known her and to have the opportunity to learn from her every day.
November 28, 2015
November 28, 2015
I am just seeing this. I am so sorry to hear this. I miss you Linda!
June 17, 2015
June 17, 2015
Dear Linda,
I’ll love you forever,
I’ll like you for always,
as long as I’m living
my friend you’ll be.
~with apologies to Robert Munsch
I’ll love you forever,
I’ll like you for always,
as long as I’m living
my friend you’ll be.
~with apologies to Robert Munsch
June 16, 2015
June 16, 2015
I just looked at the gallery photos again and Linda's smile and happy demeanor still makes me smile too. She will always be remembered with much love and fondness. She touched so many of us with her kindness and big heart... definitely forever missed.
June 15, 2015
June 15, 2015
I am still amazed how many lives Linda touched and the breadth of her influence. Our time with Linda was very short but she is not someone we will ever forget as the level of her warmth, enthusiasm, positive attitude and love are uncommon in this world. She was a gift sent to all of us for a short time and she was greatly appreciated.
June 15, 2015
June 15, 2015
Dear Linda
I think about you everyday and will always remember your kindness and strength. We all miss you.
I think about you everyday and will always remember your kindness and strength. We all miss you.
June 15, 2015
June 15, 2015
Hardly a day goes by that I do not think about Linda - our Departmental poster, prominently displayed around the Wolfe Street Building, has a wonderful photo of Linda animatedly talking with students. She is very much part of the Department's DNA.
June 15, 2015
June 15, 2015
It is hard to believe a year has passed since you left this world. I remember discussing and debating science and planning projects with you in the Welch Center as if it were last week. Your presence and your smile within us has not faded a bit.
June 15, 2015
June 15, 2015
I think of Linda often. Her wide, beautiful smile, her wonderful dimples and her warmth were rays of sun to everyone who knew her. My times with her were too short and far between being a continent apart, but the life and light she brought into a room will always be her legacy to me and our family. I am especially grateful for the love and life she shared with Warren.
June 15, 2015
June 15, 2015
Linda is often in my thoughts. I see her beautiful, wide smile, those wonderful dimples and feel her warmth. She was ray of sun wherever she was. My times with her were too short and too far between being a continent apart, but the life and light she brought to everyone who knew her, will always be her legacy to me and our family.
Leave a Tribute
Recent Tributes
January 12
January 12
Happy heavenly birthday Linda! Miss you!
June 16, 2023
June 16, 2023
9 years. I miss your friendship and often, when I'm reflecting on how I am living my life, I think to myself that you would live life better. You still inspire me to be better.
June 15, 2023
June 15, 2023
Think of you often!
Miss you Linda!
Miss you Linda!
Gallery
I found this picture in an album recently. One of our dinners out as junior faculty. Miss you!
Memories of you keep resurfacing but they make me smile each time I see your face. Miss you so much.
Morning of Marine Corps Marathon 2008
Cheryl Logan, Yvette Oquendo & Linda Kao
Morning of Marine Corps Marathon 2008
Cheryl Logan, Yvette Oquendo & Linda Kao
Ready for our close-ups! (May 2010)
IMG_9171
DSC_1088 Engagement Ring
2015-06-14 14.12.21 4
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201415 JHU Tribute to Linda Kao 388MB
Recent stories
Johns Hopkins Publishes Article on Linda Kao Memorial Fund
June 1, 2022
by Warren Goda
Johns Hopkins University recently published an article on the impacts of the Linda Kao Memorial Fund, which has enabled annual awards. The recipients of the awards are stellar examples of how we've been able to continue Linda's legacy. Over the years, I've been fortunate to meet several of the recipients who all embody the simple principles for the award:
- Excellence in research or teaching
- Selfless assistance to others
- Inner strength in the face of adversity
Vegan Chinese
January 12, 2021
I was able to drive Linda to one of her long appointments at the NIH in the winter of 2013-2014. The news wasn't great, but we made the best of it and had what I think ended up being an okay day. She was sad but also still really looking forward to things; it was remarkable. We had a long drive from Bethesda to Rockville (it had snowed quite a bit), and she reflected and shared a lot of her perspective on life. Ever the host, Linda directed us to a vegan Chinese restaurant where the menu was not in English. She had to order for us, and the food was just delicious. On the surface, it was a pretty ordinary day but one I will never forget.
Ball
June 10, 2019
by Miles Goda
We were at my family reunion in Port Townsend, WA and Linda had come out with my brother, Warren. I love basketball and wanted to go shoot some hoops. Linda immediately said that she wanted to go too and proceeded to start talking trash to me. She said that she had played at MIT, a team second only to the Celtics in Boston.
The trash talking continued so we decided to play a game of horse. Up to that point, I hadn't taken a shot from beyond 10 feet, so Linda was feeling very confident. When I got a letter, she started whooping it up and the trash talk reached Gary Payton levels. Enough was enough. On my next turn, I started to shoot 3s. 3 shots and 3 letters later, Linda accused me of sandbagging. So I agreed to not shoot anymore 3s. She got another letter on a left handed layup and said I should do a real shot. So I suggested a free throw. She said no problem. So I told her to look at me, shut my eyes, and swished a free throw. After Linda shot an air ball, it got real quiet. I cupped my hand to my ear, but couldn't hear anything except the wind.
What I loved about Linda is that she tried her best at everything and would never concede or give up. I wish I had that kind of determination. I really miss Linda. She was a very special person and the world is a better place for having her in it.