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Linda Jean Leonard, of Oak Ridge, TN, passed peacefully at home on Saturday afternoon, August 16, 2008, surrounded by her loving family. She was born August 6, 1952 in North Adams, MA, to Eugene P. and Catherine V. (Martinelli) Talarico. Linda grew up in Williamstown, MA, and was a 1970 graduate of Mount Greylock Regional High School. She earned bachelor’s degrees, with high honors, in Physical Science and Psychology, and a master’s degree in Physics, all from the University of Utah. She earned a GIS certificate from Roane State Community College, where she received the Outstanding Geology Award for 2005-06. A resident of Oak Ridge for the past 19 years, she worked at Oak Ridge National Laboratories, and was an instructor in computer sciences at Roane State Community College before becoming the Geographic Information Systems specialist for Anderson County. Linda served on the board of the Tennessee Mountain Writers, and was on the planning committee for the state conference for childcare and education. She married her beloved and devoted husband, Danny, on July 14, 2001, in North Adams, MA.
Linda was a source of inspiration and an example of courage for all who knew her. She loved music and dance, and through them she expressed her deep faith and her love for life. She was member of the Park West Church of God in Knoxville, where she served on the Worship Dance team. She had a brilliant mind and a humble, compassionate spirit. She was a lifelong learner, curious, open-minded, and accepting of all with warmth and generosity. Linda made a difference.
Linda was preceded in death by her father, Eugene P. Talarico, and her brother-in-law Timothy (Tim) Leonard.
She is survived by her husband Daniel (Danny) Leonard; her daughter by marriage Rachel McKee and her husband Steven of Sweetwater, TN; her mother Catherine V. Talarico of North Adams, MA; a sister Cathy L. Talarico and her husband Peter Boudreau of North Adams, MA; a sister Melissa Talarico of Unionville, CT; a brother Peter Talarico and his partner Karen McCartan of Simsbury, CT; her father-in-law C. B. Leonard of Loudon, TN; her mother-in-law, Mary Hull, of Madisonville, TN; a sister-in-law Susie Ann Worley and her husband Andy of Madisonville, TN; two grandchildren Damien and Karley; and many special family members and friends.
The funeral will be Tuesday August 19, 2008 at 8:00 PM in the chapel of Martin Oak Ridge Funeral Home. Interment will be Wednesday August 20, 2008 at 10:00 am at Christianburg Cemetery in Sweetwater, TN
The family will receive friends from 6-8 Tuesday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers the family request donations to be made in Memory of Linda Leonard to Susan G. Komen for the Cure 5005 L.B.J. Fwy. Suite 250 Dallas, TX 75244.