June 13, 1946 - January, 22
1999
Many of us first learned of Linda's passing when Shirley (Rebel) posted this to the group:
"I have received some very sad news today and I wanted to share with you all. Linda...aka. Little Babe/Dopey25/Ladybug501 passed away last night from a massive heart attack. She originally posted here in grannies and some in Womens Issues. I met her here in grannies and we have been friends since then. She has been sick and spent alot of time in the hospital the last year or so. Some of you may not have known her and I am sorry that you didn't because she was a special person and a wonderful friend. When my hubby was in the hospital, she was the person who posted in here for me to tell you that the surgery went well. She was very loyal and we talked alot on the phone. I talked to her on Thursday night and she sounded so good. She was laughing and cutting up as usual. I know that I am going to miss her sooooo much and there are many of you who will probably remember her too. Nita was also a great friend to Linda too. I know she is upstairs talking to Duffy about some of us (me especially) who were here in grannies. I know that my heart is breaking because of losing another friend that I loved dearly."
Many in the group mourned the loss of a special friend. Others, who had not known her, grieved for their friends in the group who had known and loved Linda and felt the loss of a special lady that they wished they had known. Here are some excerpts from responses that followed that post.
From Joyce:..."I know Duffy and Jen were probably at the pearly gates to meet her. Our group now has 3 special grannie Guardian Angels."
From Trudy:..." She was such a loving person. ...She would write me sometimes and just ask how things were going. She'd send me such nice things and she was funny too! And she would always think of others. She was what is meant when somebody says...."she was a fine woman" She really was. I will miss her. God rest her gentle soul."
From Tera:..." She will be missed.... I know you and Nita were very close to her, but I know she is in Heaven with our Duffy and Jenny. May she rest in Peace."
From Phyl:..."Any time we lose a loved one it's like a candle has been extinguished in our lives; but think of how much brighter Heaven is today."
From Juanita:..."I am in shock and I just can't think . Linda was my sweet friend that helped me through many nights. She never had bad words about anyone, even through all our so called Wars between News Groups. She was friends with all. That is something rare in a person. She had things at home that were hard at times and she would be upset and before we were done emailing all night we would be laughing. Maybe now she will get her peace of mind. My grandson Matthew was crazy about her. She sent him all kinds of things in mail , and letters. She never forgot to say KISS MATTHEW FOR ME. He made her gold name for her Email and taught her how to put it on. She was so proud of it. I just set him down and told him about her passing away. I did not know how him being almost 8 years would handle it. He sat there awhile and looked at me and said I guess God needed another Angel in heaven Granny, cause she was so sweet. Other little children in heaven needed her
to take care of them . I will miss her alot."
From Anneliese:..."I just sent her a beautiful friendship poem. I should have sent it sooner. I wanted her to know what a good kind gracious lady she was. We have been e-mailing each other since the beginning of my coming to grannies. So strange we were talking about Jenny in chat last night. I got called away with a phone call, but I kept thinking of Jenny and what a good friend she too was to me. No one can ever tell me that you guys are just addys. Most of you are closer to me than some relatives. I just want everyone here to know that Linda was a very special lady and friend."
From Mary Jane:..."I'm sure she is with Duffy & Jenny and they are having a Wonderful
Reunion! :-) We've lost some very Special Grannies, but God has regained some Special Angels!"
From Glo:..."I am so sad for the loss of Linda. She was such a sweet lady. Always kind and gentle. She loved everyone, and really loved being a member of grannies. She will be greatly missed. The Lord must have needed another Angel, so he called Linda."
From Mo:..."I knew Linda and I am terribly saddened by the news of her passing. She is resting easy now and my deepest sympathy goes to her family and friends."
From Sharon:...
"I'm so heart broken over Linda. I still cannot believe it. Linda was my first web friend. She meant a lot to me. ...This is really hard for me. I loved that Lady."
From BJ:..."What a Happy Day
when once again you get to see her - - whole and at peace......She made
your heart and soul smile and that you'll always treasure...
How dear she must have been.....
Juanita shared a story about Linda and her bird.
"She loved animals and she had a little bird sometime ago. He talked also. Linda asked me once if I thought pets went to heaven too. She wanted to be with him. He died of cancer. He loved Linda too. She went outside one day to get the mail in her big fluffy pink slippers and PJ's. He sat on her shoulder and went too. As they were coming in she got her slipper caught on the door step. It pitched her forward and she slammed into the floor. That little bird flew and found her son and told him to "Help momma! -Help momma!" Linda had a broken pelvis, was out cold, busted her knees, and hit her head. Her little bird saved her she said. So I guess she is with her little friend again, I think so anyway.
Shirley (Rebel) summed up the way most of us felt in this post to the group. "To all who didn't know Linda, you missed a special person, but with our sharing of Linda, you can think that you knew her.
For all of us who knew and loved her, we will have the great memories of Linda and the special things that we did. We were lucky to know her and to love her and for her to have loved us back."
Some people posted poems to the group to help comfort those who were grieving the loss of Linda.
This one was posted by Amelia who was new to the group.
Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free;
I'm following the path God laid for me.
I took his hand when I heard him call;
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I found that place at the close of day.
If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss;
Ah yes, these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow;
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I savored much;
Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief;
Don't lengthen it now with undo grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me;
God wanted me now, he set me free.
Author Unknown
This poem was posted by Juanita as a tribute to her special friend.
Our Friend Who's Gone Away
We really didn't have her long,
Our friend whose gone away.
And if things could be different,
I confess I'd have her stay
With us and bless us
With her friendship and her smile.
She grew so very dear to us
In such a little while.
Now we all are lonesome,
Each heart has an empty space,
That wants to feel her hand again
And see her smiling face.
And hear her speak so gently,
and just be with us each day.
We miss her and we're grieving for,
Our Friend whose gone away.
But I am very thankful,
There is peace within my soul.
For I know she's with Jesus,
I know He has made her whole.
And I know too I'll see her,
When He calls me from this place.
And when I go to live with Him,
I know I'll see her face.
So as I write these words,
and I remember our Dear Friend.
I am thankful that He loaned her
To us at the very end.
How precious are His thoughts toward us.
How wondrous are His ways.
He sent us such a lovely soul,
To bless and fill our days.