Linda Anne Rook

Linda Anne McGuire-Rook passed away peacefully on November 18, 2023. Linda was born January 15, 1943, to Richard and Maxine (McEntire) McGuire in Parsons, Kansas. Linda attended Labette County High School where she met and married Harry Edward Rook, Jr. They were the first married couple to attend Labette County Junior College. After graduation, they moved to Pittsburg, Kansas, where she continued her education. They moved to Kansas City in 1963 and Linda began attending Kansas University Medical School to study Nursing.

After beginning their family in 1964, Linda devoted her time to raising her children, teaching piano, sewing costumes, and picking up uniforms for whoever's team, troop, or band was in season. At the same time, she engraved jewelry for Jaccard's of Kansas City, worked for H&R Block, and played piano accompaniment for her children's school concerts.

In 1993, Linda returned to college, graduating with BA Anthropology (‘92) and MA Anthropology/Primatology (‘95) from Wichita State University. Linda subsequently taught as an adjunct professor at Kansas Newman University and Neosho County Community College.

Linda’s pastimes included picnics, caring for stray animals, reading, knitting and crocheting. After moving to Moran, Kansas, to live in the family lake cabin, she picked up painting, continued to write, and studied the veritable menagerie of wild animals that came to her door. Becoming a grandmother was the highlight of her life! Some of the grandkids' favorite memories with their grandmother include eating Spaghetti-O's out of the can by candlelight, fishing, feeding the goats, and getting as dirty as possible. She inspired them to love and care for all creatures by squishing no bugs or spiders and feeding a variety of wildlife. They loved and will cherish every minute they spent with her!

Linda moved to Virginia Beach in 2008, living out her life near the beach and continuing to spend time with her grandchildren. She loved the water, feeding seagulls, reading and volunteering at the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum and the Virginia Beach Aquarium.

Linda was predeceased by her spouse, Harry E. Rook, Jr, parents Dick and Maxine McGuire and brother Richard Len McGuire. Linda is survived by children: Sean Rook (Jayne), Megan Earlenbaugh (Doug), and Chad Rook (Andrea); Grandchildren: Faye, Austin (Emma), Isaac, Emerald, Kiera, Emileigh (Yanni), Khloe, and Gabriel; and Great Grandchildren: Grayce, Lucius, Izzy.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum, 113 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451.