Linda Marion Gormley

Linda Marion Gormley of Tampa, Florida, passed away on June 20, 2024. Born in Tallahassee on November 15, 1940, to Robert R. Gormley and Marion Cook Gormley, Linda led a life rich in achievement and dedication. She graduated from Leon High School and went on to earn a BS in Health Education from Florida State University.

Linda was a remarkable athlete, excelling in diving as the 1957 Florida-Georgia Junior Olympic diving champion. She also enjoyed swimming, golf, softball, and tennis. A fervent FSU Seminole, she distinguished herself as a four-year football cheerleader, Miss FSU Football, a member of the FSU Homecoming Court, Miss Marine Corps, and a sister of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.

Her passion for education and mentorship shone through her career as a beloved science teacher and coach. Linda inspired countless students, fostering both their academic and personal growth. She was named Hillsborough County Teacher of the Year 2003.

A devoted member of Hyde Park United Methodist Church, she actively participated in church activities alongside her three children.

Linda is survived by her three children, Deana Marion Buckley (John), Robert Harold Deane Genders (Lynae), and Crissy Genders Delaney (Patrick), as well as her five grandchildren, Drew Marion Buckley, Casey Grace Buckley, Cole Curtis Deane Genders, Savannah Grace Genders, and Owen Fitzgerald Delaney. “Meme” offered unwavering support, assisted with homework (particularly in science), enthusiastically engaged in art projects, and was deeply cherished by all her grandkids.

A service to celebrate Linda’s life will be held at the Chapel at Hyde Park United Methodist Church on July 18, 2024, at 3 PM. She will be laid to rest at Oakland Cemetery in Tallahassee, joining her mother, father, and brother.