While most of us have lived long enough to realize that in any group of people we must expect some difficulties. Walking Group 23 Skiddoo and all of the volunteers were heartbroken at the death of our beautiful Linda. 

This gentleperson took her own life for reasons we will never know.  Linda was a giving, loving person and as her last gift she arranged for her organs to be donated.  She made sure she would be found in good time for this to happen.  To some, this may seem a strange thing to do but we know that Linda gave everything she had to others.  We, the Walking Group and the volunteers have that to remember and we cherish her last act of love.

Life was not good to Linda.  Some seven years previously, her Daughter of sixteen years took her own life for no apparent reason.  Her other child, a son, is mentally challenged and lives in a group home.  Linda’s ex husband lives in Eastern Canada.  While Linda was employed in the Ministry of Health in the British Columbia Government her job was soon to be phased out.  It was a hard time for Linda and we all know there was little we could have done to help. 

Of course we all have questions that will never be answered.  We remember the way she lived her life and we want to remember the good things about her life with us.  She was an accomplished artist and indeed at her death was working on a picture for her dear friend Jeannette.  She had recently sold her condo and moved into a more suitable location and seemingly was happy with the change.  Some time ago she attended a seminar and had found a man she loved.  I remember her telling me that she knew instantly that this man loved her but for reasons we will never know the relationship was not a permanent one. 

I remember walking with Linda on one of our Saturday morning walks on the lovely Windsong trail.  This is a very popular trail and we met many people coming and going..  We, almost at the same time, noticed that some people were happy to return our “good mornings” but some just ignored us.  We decided to keep track of the answers to our “good mornings” and we made a game out of it.  Every once in awhile I think of Linda and then I remember the little game we enjoyed one Saturday morning.

23 Skiddoo held a memorial service in Elmer’s home with Marlowe Anderson, a former Spiritual Coordinator at Victoria Hospice.  Everyone spoke of his or her love and memories of Linda.  We all remembered her being at the annual dinner the night before she died.

I came away from this gathering with the thought that the Group gave no suggestion their love and respect was changed in any way.  There was no blame just a gentle feeling of acceptance.

Linda was a member of “23 Skiddoo” and missed very few of the Saturday walks.  The group misses this wonderful person desperately and they talk about her often.  The good memories that Linda has left drew the group even closer. 

Claire and were at the annual Christmas dinner and I remember her leaving early for some reason.  I called out to her, “how about my goodnight hug.” she turned back and said, “oh, all right.” gave me a hug and was gone.

"23 Skiddoo" is a strong group, emotionally, and they will keep Linda close to them in their own way.