Linda was born on August 3, 1943. She and her 4 brothers Gary, Mick, Bruce, Brian (Pete) and sister Nancy Joan grew up together in Salt Lake City, Utah. She graduated from West High School and grew up attending the 15th Ward. She had a strong testimony of the gospel and lived her life as a great example of its teachings. She was a gifted conversationalist and had a genuine interest in people and getting to know their stories. She greeted people with open arms and an open mind despite any differences they may have.
Linda graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Elementary Education and married Thomas L. Neff in the temple in August 1965. She began her teaching career by teaching and raising her 5 children Scott (Marlene), Lee (Kiersten), Mike, Merilee (Dave) and Dan (Tami). She continued her teaching career as an elementary school teacher for over 20 years. She shared a love of reading and literacy through teaching. It was important for her to share her love of music, the beauties of nature, and wildflowers with her family. She could identify and name almost any wild flower (sometimes through the windows of a swiftly moving car). She enjoyed and practiced many arts including playing piano/organ, toll painting, calligraphy, cake decorating, knitting, cooking, and scrapbooking.
She taught her children through example that service is important. She took all of her church callings to heart and gave her best effort. She volunteered as often as she could with the Jaycees and later in life she became an usher for the Salt Lake County Center for the Arts. She served as President of Jordan School board when she noticed changes were needed and she could help.
She was a very involved nanna to her 9 grandchildren (Janae, Addyson, Luke, Hope, June, Melody, Corbin, Eli, Aspen). She made sure to spend time with and get to know each one of them and learn more about and support them in their interests and goals. She was a very proud nanna.
She went through life with a positive attitude and hope for a wonderful future even when times were tough. She fought a long and valiant fight with ovarian cancer with grace, courage and positivity and always held her head high.
She is survived by Thomas L. Neff (Janette), her 5 children and her 9 grandchildren. We will miss her dearly, but her legacy will live on in our hearts and our efforts to live by her example.
A viewing will be held at the Union 4th Ward Chapel at 1834 East Creek Rd 7995 South Sandy, Utah on Friday June 17th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm and a funeral service celebrating her life will be held at the same location on Saturday June 18th at 11:00 with a viewing period starting at 9:30. She will be buried at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
