Page created by: Jason Albin

Linda Kathryn Albin – loving wife of Gerry; caring mother of Kevin (Tina), Jason (Alena), Kirk (Melissa), Kelly (Jesse), and Stacy (Gannon); sweet and doting grandmother of Daegan, Gabriel, Jacob, Aubrey, Katelyn, Maeve, and Nora; and beautiful daughter of Kathryn and Steven Steffan – has passed away. Our dearest Linda had the biggest heart, sweetest of intentions, and lived life to the fullest, bringing joy, adventure, and love to all around her.

Linda grew up in Defiance, Ohio with her parents and siblings. She loved reading, teaching, and caring for others from a young age. She earned her bachelor’s degree [in education] from Bowling Green State University, where she met the love of her life, Gerry.

Linda and Gerry built a beautiful family together. Linda lived to provide Gerry and their children with as much love, compassion, and adventure as possible. She tirelessly organized cross-country vacations, scouting adventures, skiing and kayaking trips, opportunities to give and support those in need, and so many other activities and experiences to share with Gerry, the kids, and their family and friends.

Linda also devoted her life to nurturing and bringing joy to generally everyone she interacted with. Her energy was unrelenting - she ran her own childcare business, was a teacher, a preschool director, and a girl scout and cub scout leader. She fostered the curiosity and creativity of her children, family, friends, and students. She lived to be present for others and touched the lives of many.

As a caregiver, Linda took care of her mother, Gerry, and her children, grandchildren, and friends as they experienced health and other challenges over the years. She, in turn, learned how to lean on all of them as she experienced difficulties with her own health and began her fight with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Linda exemplified how one’s spirit, faith, grace and strength can help their legacy last and be shared with others - that even when faced with dark news, there is still light in the world to be cherished.

Throughout her tough battle with PD and other health issues, Linda continued to be the glue of the family and would bravely face any and all adversity that befell her. She was always looking forward to celebrating the next holiday or loved one’s birthday (and making it the most fun for all of the kids), baking a dessert to make life sweeter and show her love, playing a competitive game, hearing her grandchildren’s laughter and connecting with family and friends. For Linda, there was always more events, and get-togethers and holidays to look forward to, and she relished in making any room she was in happier and brighter. She absolutely loved the company that she had made for herself in life.

When Linda and Gerry moved into the Hamlet at Chagrin Falls, she expressed that she had a new purpose - to experience as many activities as possible with Gerry and make the Hamlet an even better place for everyone. She joined the dining committee to help ensure fresh fruit, veggies, and other healthy options were on the menu, loved participating in group activities with Gerry, started a PD support group to connect and help others, and made many friends across residents, staff, and their family members.

Linda also loved her friends at InMotion and her doctors, therapists, nurses, and friends at the Cleveland Clinic. She read every book by Michael J. Fox, participated in every PD study possible, and was tireless in her efforts to promote PD awareness and support finding a cure.

While she gave us so many wonderful memories and years of her beautiful smile, laugh, and love, we will always ache for more. Linda/Mom/Grandma, you simply were the very best. We will love, remember, cherish, and miss you.

Donations
In Linda’s honor and in lieu of flowers (although she loved them very much), we ask that you please consider making a donation in her honor to support research, finding a cure, and others impacted by PD. Thank you for your kindness.