Linda Kramer Mallinson Obituary (1946 - 2016)

Linda Jo (Kramer) Mallinson, born in Holland, Mich., to Adrian Kramer and Dorothy (Kouw) Kramer, passed away peacefully at age 69 on Sunday, October 2, in Lowell, Mass. After a childhood spent swimming and fishing in Lake Michigan, Linda graduated from West Ottawa High School (1965), where she was encouraged to attend college instead of the standard path of secretary school. She attended Western Michigan University and earned a bachelor's degree in communications and minors in English and music education. It was there that she met her late husband Robert C. Mallinson, Jr., of Lansingburgh, NY, at a freshman dance, and it was love at first sight. The pair was married in 1970 in Kalamazoo, Mich., and remained so until Bob's death in 2014. In 1977, they were ecstatic to bring home their adopted son Erik at 4 months old. Linda was so excited, she quit her job as soon as she heard the news and stayed home to care for Erik until he started kindergarten. Soon after, she attended SUNY Albany and earned a master's degree in communications/business, writing her thesis on the use of micro-computers in public schools. Throughout her career, Linda worked as a music and English teacher, computer instructor, technical writer, and database designer. After her husband Bob passed away in 2014, she moved to Westford, Mass., with her dog Annabelle to be close to Erik and his family. She joined Trinity Lutheran Church and made many new friends. Linda had an eye for beauty in the natural world, taking great pleasure in the photography of lighthouses, flowers, and butterflies, among many other things. She loved the outdoors and had a lifelong passion for music. She served as choir director at several churches over the years, and it brought her great joy to sing and play piano in praise to the Lord. Linda also loved swimming, fishing, sailing, traveling, and knitting, and her tiramisu recipe was loved far and wide. Linda was a devoted wife and a loving mother and grandmother, self-reliant and giving, resilient and sensitive. She had a love for life and an unwavering commitment to her family. Linda is survived by her only child Erik, 39; her daughter-in-law Alissa; her grandson Bradley, 19; her granddaughter Athena, 4; her sister Mary Skwirut; and her nephew Brian Skwirut. Visitation hours will be held on Friday, October 7th, from 5-8pm, at Blake Funeral Home, 24 Worthen St., CHELMSFORD, Mass. A memorial service will be held the following day on Saturday, October 8th, at 11am, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 170 Old Westford Rd., Chelmsford, Mass. PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH. The service will be followed by a lunch at the church. A burial service will take place at a later date at the Oakwood Cemetery in Troy, NY, where Linda will be buried in the Mallinson family plot. Visitation October 7, 2016 5:00pm - 8:00pm, Blake Funeral Home 24 Worthen Street Chelmsford, MA 01824 Service Information October 8, 2016 11:00am, Trinity Lutheran Church 170 Old Westford Road Chelmsford, MA 01824