Linda Louise Kalinka

Linda was born on April 9th, 1949 to Nettie Mae and Clifford Scott in Toronto, Ontario. She was the fifth of six children, and the family’s eldest daughter. Linda was predeceased by her husband (Richard) younger sister, Heather, and older brother’s David and Clifford. She is survived by her son, Michael (wife Shannon, daughters Scarlett & Faith) as well as brothers Brian (Linda) and Richard (Helene), and many nieces and nephews.

Linda’s early years were unsettled, characterized by many moves, new homes, new schools, and having to adapt to the constant of change. She eventually found ‘home’ in British Columbia, graduating from High School in 1967 and then completing her bachelor’s in education at the University of British Columbia.

After becoming a teacher, Linda met the love of her life, Richard (Rick), on a dance floor one serendipitous weekend in Point Roberts, Washington. Rick courted her for some time. After a few years of dating, they were married and eventually settled in the Lower Mainland, purchasing their first home in Chilliwack, where she taught Art in the Abbotsford school district while he commuted into Vancouver as he ‘climbed the ladder’ with the Business Development Bank (BDC). They were excited to build a family together and moved closer to the city to Coquitlam where then had their only son, Michael, in 1980. Soon after, Rick contracted an aggressive cancer and passed away in November of 1982. Rick’s passing was a loss that Linda never let go. Her love and loyalty to Richard remained throughout her life, and now she is able to join him in heaven – with a smile beaming across her face.

Following Richard’s passing, Linda was devoted to raising Michael and creating a better life for both of them. She single-parented, providing Michael with a loving, secure base and unconditional acceptance - the type of happy childhood that every child deserves. They moved to Victoria BC where Linda advanced her education, completing a master’s degree in counselling psychology at the University of Victoria. Following her degree, in 1992 Linda and Michael moved back to Coquitlam, and she worked passionately as a clinical counsellor in the Maple Ridge school district until retirement. She established many strong friendships during that part of her life.

After retirement, Linda moved back to Victoria in 2009. In some ways these were the best years of her life. She made the most of beautiful Vancouver Island – enjoying extended walks/bike rides/hikes and building an extensive network of friends through several groups, including Victoria Newcomers Club, Jungian Society, a Dream Group, an Ageing & Saging Group, among others. In addition to her network of friendships, during retirement Linda was able to cherish her relationship son Michael as he started his own family. She absolutely adored her granddaughters, spending time teaching them art and exposing them to the joys of nature.

Linda was always committed to supporting others. A soft voice of comfort and stability that we all yearn for. She will be dearly missed. As granddaughter Scarlett quoted the day Linda passed: ‘I just wish we had more time’.

A Celebration of Life & Reception will be held at First Memorial Funeral Services, 4725 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC, V8Y1B4, CA, on August 14, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm