Linda Gleason Obituary

[Henry]

Linda C. Gleason

Fairfax-The luckiest family in the world lost a wonderful wife, mother and friend on Saturday. Linda C. Gleason, 57, died peacefully with her children and soul mate by her side just before sunset. The daughter of Dr. Loran Smith and Marion (Cioffi) (Smith) Walsh, Linda was born in San Jose , California on November 25, 1951. After her father passed away, she moved with her mother and sister, Lauren, to Vermont to be close to her mother's family. There, she spent a childhood surrounded by her extended family and formed close bonds with her many cousins, aunts and uncles.

Linda attended Central Catholic High School in St. Albans and graduated from UVM in 1973, then continued her studies to accomplish her Masters degree in Education.

Linda taught children for over 35 years. She spent a year in California teaching 5th graders and spent the rest of her teaching career in Vermont , at St. Albans City School . There, she taught 2nd and 3rd grade. Throughout the years, she touched many, many lives and never grew sick of teaching children. She taught the children of many of her former students and often commented that she would "retire when a student comes in and tells me that I taught her grandmother in my class!"

Linda met her soul mate, Daniel in 1977. They were married on July 11, 1981. When describing how Linda felt about Dan when they initially met, her cousin commented, "Dan was the only one that Linda would have chased, but she didn't need to- she already had him.." Their love and kindness toward one another served as an example for their children, Christopher and Lindsey, and others who saw the love they had for one another.

As a mother, Linda filled her home with joy, love and comfort. She would often scoop up her children and dance with them in the living room. She spent time talking and laughing with them, and teaching them that life is sweet, and we should all enjoy it. Linda was never one to want material things over experiences with her family. The many vacations that she planned with her family will always remain as some of the best memories her family had with her.

Linda enjoyed life. Countless little things made her smile, from finding a penny on the ground to laughing at her pets’ antics. She wanted the best for everyone and strived to make others understand how special they were. Linda's laugh and smile especially will be missed by her loved ones. Despite having just two of her own children, her “buddy” Christopher, and her “baby” Lindsey, she took many others under her wing through teaching and in other ways. When Linda loved you, you knew it because she showed you and told you all the time.

Linda leaves behind her husband of over 27 years, Daniel; her two children, Christopher and Lindsey; Her sister Lauren Baker of Stuart, Fl., her step-brothers and their wives Joseph and Diane Walsh of New Fairfield, Ct., James and Dale Walsh of St. Albans, John and Karen Walsh, Jeff rey Walsh and his partner Lori Disher all of Port Charlotte, Fl., her in-laws Tim and Debra Gleason of Fairfax, Kevin and Lori Gleason of Syracuse, N. Y., JoAnn Trott of Lake Forest, Ca., Thomas and Cindy Gleason of Laguna Beach, Ca., her many beloved cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and friends are too numerous to name, but please know how very much you meant to Linda. Her parents predeceased her, as did her grandparents and step-father Robert M. Walsh, brother-in-law John Baker and many others.

If you would like to make a donation in Linda's honor, please make it to the Megan E. Patenaude Memorial Fund, c/o Peoples Trust Company, P. O. Box 320 , St. Albans , Vt. 05478 . Also, please consider becoming an organ donor and what a wonderful gift that is.

In lieu of flowers, please do something for another person- say "I love you" to someone, dance with your children, kiss your spouse. Honor Linda by spending your time loving life and laughing as much as possible. Remember that she will always be with us and we need to honor her by being good to ourselves and to one another.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, Dec. 4, at 11:00 A. M. in St. Mary’s Church. Friends may call at the Brady & Levesque Funeral Home, 86 South Main St. from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 P.M. on Wednesday. Online condolences may be sent to Linda’s family by the funeral home website: www.bnlfh.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the Brady & Levesque Funeral Home.

[Henry]

School reacting to death of teacher

Linda Gleason served 35 yrs. at City School
By Michelle Monroe - St. Albans Messenger Staff  Writer

ST. ALBANS CITY—St. Albans City  School  teacher Linda Gleason, 57, died on Saturday, after a brief and sudden illness.

Gleason, described as a much-loved member of the staff, was in her thirty-fifth year of teaching here. In her career in St. Albans she taught second and third grades. This year she was assigned to a third grade class.

"Linda was an amazing teacher who has touched so many lives in so many ways," City School Principal Joan Cavallo said today "Everybody I speak to is connected to her in some way."

City School staff met on Sunday to prepare for today; according to Cavallo.  Counselors from Northwestern Counseling & Support Services were already working at the school this morning and all of the school's counselors had been freed up to provide support to the students, Cavallo said.

Cavallo said a decision whether to close City School for the Thursday funeral service would be made after speaking with Gleason's family, but that faculty and staff will "absolutely" be able to attend.

"The friendship's are very deep," Cavallo said of Gleason's relationships with her fellow teachers.

Former city school principal Mary Lynn Riggs, now curriculum coordinator for the Franklin West Supervisory Union, remembered Gleason fondly this morning.

"There are so many children in that school who loved her," said Riggs.

"Linda was just a magnificent teacher who made such wonderful connections with children and families. To think that she isn't there is just devastating,"Riggs said.

Being in the classroom was where Gleason's heart was, Riggs said, adding, "It's a very difficult time for City School."

Former Franklin Central Superintendent Marilyn Grunewald, contacted this morning, said, "She was a master teacher, a wonderful woman, and she's going to be missed by everybody".