One year has gone by without your beautiful presence in my life. Everyday seeming less real than the last. Some days you come to me with your laughter and you vivacious spirit in my dreams and I think your here. I wake with your name in my head. Hoping what happen was just a bad dream. I ask how can we go on without you. I say I refuse too but yet night turns into today and your still gone. Then a soft warm wind hits my face on a chilly day or the sunset touches the ground and I feel your spirit with me and I am remind in the moment our love never dies. It only changes but It hasn’t left me.
  I love your more in fact then I did if that’s possible. You were my role model, you taught me little girls could play with trucks and barbies. You showed me it was my duty to stand up for others and to do my part to care for this earth. I planted trees with you and went to rally’s in your name. Because you were strong and kind. You were courageous and out spoken. You were wise and loving. I will miss you everyday this year as I did last. My Aunt Lin. I will always Love you and I know you will always love me.

Happy Birthday Mom.

It's weird that I can talk to you here like
I usually talk to you in my head
when I'm out on a walk, watching the birds, the sailing hawks, the nightingales, or when I'm writing (O! how you loved to write!) or
reading or watching SciFi. Or
laughing maniacally, snorting in laughter with your sisters and friends, joy just pouring out of you.
dancing (your undying love of the dance!)
music and sunlight on your face
your delight in other human beings, the connection you find in them.
Standing up to fight for justice, for the right that all humans have to find beauty

these are things I get from you- these passions, these joys- you birthed these things in me when I emerged from you. 

You grew me, woman!

And I will continue to grow you too. (I'll try anyway. With you being dead and all, it'll be kind of hard.) But I will grow the you that is in me and in my family.
I will grow the beauty you have breathed into this world.
I will tend to it and nurture it, and it will root itself into the earth like your body has already done.

Do you know how much I love you?

I think you know.

You know.

Linda has left the world and all who have been fortunate to have crossed paths with her, in a better place. I met Lin in 1978 through the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) when she was a UAW Local 325 member at Ford. Over the 40+ years, I came to see that deeply rooted in Linda was her compassion and passion to help guide and support every person to pursue their path to a healthy, fulfilling life, as well as her drive to achieve fairness and justice for all. She had an incredible ability to be comfortable and shine in so many diverse spaces, from skilled trades to EAP to Mary Kay, from Ferguson to Potosi, from personal confidant to leader. Linda saw in every individual, a unique story complete with flaws and beauty. You are clearly gone too soon, dear friend and sister, but you have lived a life of fullness and love for your cherished family, friends and humankind.

When I was young, Aunt Lin never failed to tell me to put my seatbelt on. I can remember her saying , “ we’re not pulling out of this driveway until you get that seatbelt on”! She stood true to her word as she always did and we did not move until each of us had buckled up. This was in the 80s, wearing a seatbelt wasn’t a law and no one much considered it. Lin was head of her time.
Years later when I was almost grown. Seatbelts became the law and cars were equipped with an alert reminding you to put your seatbelt on. The first time I herd that sound coming from a new car, I said with delight and laughter “listen it’s a Lindie Dinger”! I think everyone in the family calls it that now maybe everyone in the whole world.  

Lin always told me things that would serve me In life. Wear your seatbelt, brush your teeth, don’t walk the streets by yourself in the dark, wear sun screen, take care of each other, get an education and believe in yourself because I believe in you.
She was one in a million. I will always cherish each moment I had with her. I’m so sad she is not here with us now but I will always be blessed to have to known her. I will try my best to teach my children the things she taught me in this way she will always be with us.

This has taking me awhile to post this tribute about "My Aunt Lin" cause it doesn't seem real to me or that it was even possible for her to leave this world !!!

Not cause I'm being naive but because she was Aunt Lin the ever powerful strong, independent woman who I was blessed to Aunt Lin...

U see Lin didnt become my Aunt by blood or marriage. I started school and became friends with my lifetime friend Shalan which was Lin's niece and I knew that at that time thier was so much uncertainty and rough times going on in my friends life and her family was enduring such a hardship in the family. I was roughly 6 years old and my new friend was dealing with her mom fighting a battle with ovarian cancer and she was so strong looking back and way definitely for that age and she needed a friend to have her back and to be by her side during this tough time but even more if she would have to face such darker days ahead..... and this is where "my adoption" all began but while I could tell me and my new friend would be in each other's lives for such a long time and have been there for each other for over 33 years now and counting having each other's back for a lifetime I had no clue what I was gonna gain through this friendship so long ago.

I was scared I would be in the way and be more responsibility being one more young kid they had to worry about but I found out from the start I would never feel/ be treated that way ever !!! I learned very quickly that I had become part of a family with such outspoken, determined and strong women who made sure that you knew that so much was obtainable and not just for you to visit in your dreams but if you wanted it all you had to do was believe , put in your effort and hard work and you could have it ! Aunt Lin taught us how to stand up for our beliefs , what exactly teamwork was and how the team makes sure everyone is fairly treated and succeeds with each other and never to leave any of them behind. She taught me so much about family and how they dont all come with matching blood, skin or share a paper stating they are related but family is who is in your life and cares about you and is there for you during good times, bad times or times to celebrate together or just to make memories with each other being silly, laughing or whatever ur doing just knowing fun was being had by all !

She gave so many inspiration,motivation and desire to take on whatever tried to defeat us and I received such much more than I ever knew I would gain that day i rode the school bus home with my new friend for sure !!!

It had been a long while since I seen Aunt Lin but when she came to stay at her sisters house while they were out of town i got to see her but I was able to introduce my kids to my aunt it was just minutes if it even took that long for my twins and oldest daughter to begin calling her aunt too and she had such a big smile on her face and looking at them....I knew that they had felt those feelings and great vibes that I felt so many years before that I got from her and felt being around her and it was like they knew her forever and the way she made you feel , accepted you into her life and treated you that's exactly how long you felt like you had known this courageous woman who definitely showed us that we are all human deserve to been seen equal, treated fairly, given respect and dignity but she also had such great compassion to all knowing that we all are human beings who can or do screw up but I never seen her judge or be judgemental instead she wanted to be that person who could be there for another human life that needed her guidance , advice , opinions, knowledge or whatever she had to bring to the table to help ease their struggle and journey in whatever way she could help or show them they weren't alone and share her great strength due to her many fought obstacles she had to face during her career being a woman who decided to step up, out and take on a field not usually employment industries that woman seek or should I say sought out during that time period and how proud I am that someone I knew and has taught me so much about how to be the women that you want still but knowing that raising the bar to higher level or shattering them isn't impossible even if it's been unheard of til you break the mold and show them that we are intelligent, go-getters and that we have a mind and knowledge not just a pretty thing in high heels and cute fashion ware and that we as women are so much more of a force to be reckoned with and our strength and belief and so much great qualities that was taught, shared, instilled or she blessed me with in growing, molding me into will forever be in my heart, mind and soul and I will continue to pass it down to my daughter's so they continue to spread great knowledge, love,caring, sharing and just them learning to be a better human being and treating people like you would want to receive from others and only seeing them as people and what lies within their hearts and souls allowing us to see that unconditional love that so many in our world would benefit from knowing and experiencing and by passing down all these along with so many great qualities that was bestowed upon us by this wonderful woman who was called to her heavenly home way too soon but I know in my heart she felt our prayers, thoughts and strength we were all sending when she needed us to be the things she was for so many of us for so long when we couldn't be it or do it for ourselves and when you leave this place on earth to go to the next chapter of our lives it's not the riches, the materialistic things we have or held in our lives and we can't take anything of that stuff with us and people are only left with memories and the legacies we leave behind and my Aunt Lin made so many memories with so many along her way during her lifetime and the things she taught us is such a great part of a legacy that is totally priceless and something that we all could learn from for generations ahead and beyond

Aunt Lin will be missed greatly and never will be forgotten ever and I gained a family for life just by taking a school bus home with my friend !!!!!

She has made her mark here on earth and I have no doubt between looking down watching over us she will break tons of heavenly molds and continue on her journey helping people whenever and wherever she can !!!!!

Fly high

It is so hard for me to describe Lin because she has been so many things to me. She was my second mother and took care of me when I was little. As my older sister she always gave me guidance and protection. As we grew up she and my other sisters became my best friends. Some of my best memories involve things I did with my sisters. Things like traveling, dancing, walking, swimming and many family adventures. But most of all lots and lots of laughing.

I also owe my life to Lin. I spent over three years fighting ovarian cancer and I wouldn’t be here if it hadn’t been for her. Not only did she take me and my daughter into her home, she treated my daughter like she was her own. She also took me to chemo treatments and stayed by my side until the drugs knocked me out. She did everything in her power to help me learn guided imagery and other ways to fight cancer. The doctors didn’t give me much chance for survival but Lin never gave up even when I did. One time when I refused to go for treatment, (I wouldn’t get out of bed), she started putting my shoes on. I asked what she was doing and she told me she was going to pick me up and carry me. I know that she would have done it too.

I miss her so much. My heart is broken and my world will never be the same without her in it.

I have so many memories of Linda, who was my sister-in-law for many years. She was always caring and filled her heart with kindness toward all. I remember Renda as a young girl and Vanya as a baby. Linda was kind and gentle in guiding them as they grew up. And I was moved by her response to her sister's cancer. They watched tons of videos that made them laugh and laugh as Linda would say, "Laughter is the BEST medicine and remaining positive can cure anything!"

Many years later, Linda decided to receive True Light, a spiritual practice that I have practiced for more than 40 years, from me. And after a few sessions, she decided to learn how to give Light and took the seminar. Then, for several months, before she sold her home in the St. Louis area and moved back to Potosi, she and I would meet at her home once a month to exchange Light. I loved having her as a Light-Giver and as a true friend. Her smile will live in my heart for the rest of my years and her example of generosity and kindness is a beacon for all!

I met Linda in 2019 at the Washington County Democrats. She made quite the impression on me in that short amount of time! Everything said about her in the tributes was absolutely true about her! It did not matter who you were, everyone was treated with love and respect. I feel disappointed that I didn't meet her sooner so as to have more time with her! Love to her family!

Lin was the most beautiful person you could ever know. She was so full of goodness, happiness and love that it became infectious just being around her. You could see her in the hall when walking into work and her smile alone would put a smile on your own face. Don't get me wrong, she could kick your ass verbally before you knew what hit you, if need be. Never in anger, just with facts, logic and love. (sometimes opinion)
Lin was a bright shining light in my life during my darkest times. She let me know, and feel, that I was never alone. Even if you just needed a hug and a good cry.
Best dance partner ever! I loved her like family and she treated me as such. You will be missed Linda, the world has lost a true gem.

Lin took me and several other coworkers to Pop's Bar in Illinois.  I think that it was around 1979. I was the only black person in the group, but that didn't matter, because I would follow Lin anywhere. Upon arrival, I told Lin that I felt like an ink spot on a white skirt (being the only black person there)! The barmaid acted like she didn't want to serve me and boy oh boy did she catch it from Lin!!!! Lin told her that if you can't serve my sister then I will take my whole group with me and we will take our business elsewhere!!! Needless to say that barmaid treated me like royalty!!!!
My sister and my friend for life!!!!
Love you Lin forever, Jan

Linda was like a mother to me and my family she always was there for me and always helped me even though I have been in so much trouble with the law she never degraded me or put me down I will miss you mom more then you may know I'm sorry I didn't get to say goodbye and that I loved you but I do love and will always. You will always be in my heart and will always be my 2nd mom.

Since the day I met her, she treated me like family. My daughter has spent many nights at her house, with her great granddaughter Kaydee, along with many outings. She always bragged how well behaved Bree was, with her. She was always so giving and caring. We will truly miss her.

My mom was the most amazing woman. I don't know anyone who's life will be the same without her in it. She made me who I am today. She helped make the family what it is. She touched the lives of so many people. Mom was a force to be reckoned with. Even if I had another 100 years with her it wouldn't be enough time to tell her and show her what she meant to me. I'm not sure I can survive without her here beside me. She was my rock, my best friend, my life. I spent countless hours trying to get her laughing at some silly thing I did or said. Her laughter was music to my ears. I am one of many that wouldn't have made it this far in life if it weren't for my mom's intervention. As a teen I was a real handful, to put it mildly. She deserved a medal for not knocking my block off. I remember when she told me years later that her friend Gus said if she could make it through my teen years without killing me eventually we might even grow to be friends. He was right! She was my best friend for the last 25 or so years. There was hardly a day that we weren't together since she moved back to Potosi area. If I had a wish it would be to ⁹ back in time, listen to her with my whole self, appreciate the wonderful person she was and give her a year long hug. I would tell her she was right about everything she lectured me about.