Linda Raymer

Linda Francine Raymer, 77, of Oakland Park, Florida, passed away on January 23. She is survived by her sons, Gabriel Cyrus Day Walsh and Gareth Elan Day Strowbridge; her daughter Gemma Strowbridge Mursell and son-in-law Danny Thomas Mursell; grandchildren Sarah Kaitlyn Mursell and Hunter Fisher Mursell. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Tom Wootton, nephew Dennison Miller, and niece Guin (and husband Kevin) Shample.

Born in Newport, Rhode Island to U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Frank Marion Raymer and dance instructor Lillie Mae (Smith) Raymer on June 2, 1947, Linda lived in Panama for a few years before her family retired to Miami, where both her parents became high school English teachers. Linda is preceded in death by her parents and both sisters, Candance Raymer and Janine Raymer Wootton.

Linda was a dancer in New York City and at the Carillon Hotel in Miami Beach. She cared for the elderly, was a teacher for the deaf and blind, and a Head Start teacher assistant. She volunteered at the Wildlife Care Center, was an activist, and loved anything music and dancing related including the Grateful Dead, Donna the Buffalo, and her lifelong friend, Pete Lavezzoli’s band, Crazy Fingers.

She loved traveling and held Big Fat Gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains close to her heart. Linda cherished all creatures, but her heart held a particularly special place for her cats. Linda was the most kind, loving, and generous mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She made a difference in the lives of those that knew her and will be profoundly missed.

A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held in the near future to honor Linda.