Memories of Linda

For nearly two years, Linda has been fighting a courageous battle with cancer but, sadly, was lost to us on Saturday, June 6, 2009.

For all who knew her, Linda was one of the "special ones". Beloved wife and mother, special friend, talented spinner, dyer, knitter. Her hand-dyed fibers from her flock of Shetlands have gone into the making of hundreds of beautiful items. She was a main influence in our fiber festival - we might not have one if it weren't for her. She always had time to help out a fellow guild member with questions on dyeing or spinning or anything at all.

She was a woman to admire and emulate and none of us who knew her will ever forget her.
Knitting at Joan's
Linda and her new lamb
From Val Gropp: "When I think of Linda, it was her gift to encourage that comes to mind."
From Cheryl Dunn: "I have known Linda for such a long time - the boys were just little things when I first met her! She has always been positive, upbeat and happy. All these pictures show her smiling, and that's how she always was. I pray we will all smile ourselves when we remember her. Goodbye, my friend. I will miss you."
From Phyllis Gula: "I will think of her and miss her every day..... she was always there to lend an ear. She could accomplish more in a day than some people can in a week.... and she did it all with a smile and good attitude! The fiber community has lost a gem, and we have all lost someone we could count on to be our friend."
At the Genesee Country Museum
Winners!
From Karla Kates: "I purchased my first rovings from Linda when I got into spinning. I'd known her from the past, as she and my sister were friends, and as a matter of fact, my sister met her husband through Bob and Linda. Linda was always quick to have a chat with me, and I always liked getting tucked into a corner with her at Stella Maris to catch up. Now she's spinning clouds into lovely memories for us."
Here's something beautiful from Amy Klee: "I had the good fortune of having Linda pick my fiber for the mitten exchange the guild did a couple years ago. The mittens I received back from Linda were very unique and beautifully spun and knitted. I pulled those mittens out last night from their safe-keeping place and put them on my hands. It felt like they were hugging my fingers and I could feel the warmth and energy that was spun in the yarn by her talented and capable hands. I will always think of her when I wear them and cherish the memories of the beautiful person and friend she was."
From Diane Seely: "Like everyone else, I think of Linda every day now. She was very, very good at pointing out that I was perfectly capable of doing a variety of things that I didn't think I could do, and then pushing me out there to do just that. Her encouragement and support will be with me always".

"This pic is from June 2008 when Bob and Linda helped us at daughter Kris' wedding. They bartended, parked cars and helped out wherever they were needed. They were a blessing to have with us on this special day. She touched my life and my family in many special ways and will be missed."- Brenda Bonisteel
From Kathy Jarvis: "I met Linda after taking a spinning class. She was my mentor, encourager, and friend. I bought two of my first sheep from Bob and Linda. She taught me how to skirt a fleece and how to sprinkle dye my roving. Linda reached out to all and made them feel welcome, encouraged them to try and always had time for that listening ear. She believed in buying from the local farmer, had an eye for marketing wool and also for color. Linda touched more people's lives than many who will live decades beyond. I will miss you so very much my friend!"
If you would like to share a memory of Linda on this page, send your thoughts or stories to the webmistress.
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Last updated: June 12, 2009