Linda was born at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and grew up in Chicoppee, Massachusetts and Coventry, Connecticut. She studied physical therapy at the University of Connecticut, specializing in work with children. After university, while living in Boston, Linda, with her deep caring for environmental and social justice connected with like minded women in the women’s peace camp movement in New York state. She moved to the Bay Area in the 1980’s where she honed her skills as a carpenter. She continued her commitment to people in more difficult circumstances than her own, participating in several volunteer construction trips to Nicaragua.

In 1993 she moved to Orcas, but it was Lopez that called her, and the work being done by the Lopez Community Land Trust building affordable homes. In 1994 she partnered with COHO residents to lend her expertise to the construction of their homes, and in 2009 the Bartoluccis made their own home there.

From 1999 until 2012, she was a physical therapist at the Lopez Clinic. Her skill as a healer was appreciated by the many clients whose pain she eased, and mobility she supported. She had a special gift and love for working with children in her practice.

Linda dedicated herself to the dream and challenging work of creating her own family and home. In 1995 a baby girl, born in Kolkata, India, captured her heart. Nia arrived that summer and Linda began her journey as a mother. In 2004, Linda and Nia journeyed to Mumbai to welcome 5 year old Ashwini into the family.

Linda was a creative, energetic mother committed to her vision of a life for her two girls full of adventure, educational opportunities and connection to the culture of their birth country. She wove together her passion for children, education and social justice by gathering a circle of friends both broad and intimate to share this vision. She planned and lead numerous activities including drumming, dance and movement, shadow puppets, experiential field trips, and involvement with Pflag.

Our Linda was smart, funny, strong, generous, fiercely independent, politically savvy and not afraid of hard work. We miss her humor, her wise cracks and her adventurous spirit.

She is survived by her daughters Nia and Ashwini, sister Ellen, brother Steven, niece Tina, and many, many friends.

A gathering to celebrate her life will be planned for next summer.