Linda Gold Readey

Linda Maureen Gold Readey, age 71, of Upper Arlington, Ohio passed away Saturday, March 26, 2016. She was born March 9, 1945 in Cleveland, Ohio to the late Gary and Margaret Gold. Linda graduated from Brush High School in 1963 and Wittenberg University in 1967, where she was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority. Throughout a long and distinguished career in community relations and public affairs, she worked in varied roles including originally as an English teacher at Brookhaven High School; as Education Director for the Ohio Historical Society; in a home-based business, "Animal Quackers," when her boys were in elementary school; in the City Manager's office for Upper Arlington; with the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority; as a member of the Upper Arlington School Board for eight years; as the Vice President of Marketing and Sales for the Miranova building by The Pizzuti Companies; and as the Executive Director of the Upper Arlington Community Foundation. She was also a passionate, wide-ranging volunteer with organizations including the Junior League; the Childhood League; as the Women's Auxiliaries Council Chair; the downtown Council of the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce; as President of the Children's Hospital Guidance Centers Board of Trustees; with Master Gardeners; and on the boards of The Seal of Ohio Girl Scout Council, Nationwide Children's Hospital Foundation, Leadership Columbus, First Community Church, the Rotary Club of Upper Arlington, and other important public institutions. She was also at the center of several major community initiatives including the building and marketing of the Greater Columbus Convention Center, the development of several major professional sports venues, the hosting of the United Nations Trade Summit, the ascendency of the Short North, the funding of local schools, the nurturing of area museums, and the launch of the Upper Arlington Community Foundation, among others. She was given many awards for her efforts, including most recently the 2011 "Margine Moul Leadership Award" from Leadership UA and the Woman of the Year award from the Upper Arlington Rotary Club. Linda was the soul and center of her family; the kindest, smartest, and most inspiring wife and mother possible; and a loving and generous friend to extraordinary communities of people in Upper Arlington, Columbus, Cleveland, and beyond. She was a true hero to her husband, her sons, and many people who knew her, balancing her family life, her business interests, and her devoted volunteerism to her community. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brother, John Gold, and her brothers-in-law, Maury Hanes and Jack Readey. Linda is survived by her beloved sister, Margaret Hanes, and beloved sisters-in-law, Joanne Gold, Jennie Readey, and Clare Readey; her loving husband of 48 years, James Readey; her two children, Jay (Lisa) and Jonathan (Margaret); her grandchildren, Chad McGill Readey, Evelyn Rennix-Readey, and a third grandchild, due in July 2016; and many wonderful extended family members and close friends. A reception for family and friends who live in Columbus or nearby will be held on Tuesday, March 29 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the South Campus of First Community Church in Grandview, 1320 Cambridge Boulevard, Marble Cliff, Ohio 43212, in Brownlee Hall. A celebration of Linda's extraordinary life will be held at the same First Community Church South Campus at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 23 with a reception immediately following in Brownlee Hall. In lieu of flowers, for those who choose to do so, people may donate to Linda's preferred charities, Nationwide Children's Hospital Foundation and The Childhood League Center. Arrangements Entrusted to SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST CHAPEL, 1740 Zollinger Road.