Linda E. VanFossen

Born in January 1959, Linda spent her early years in New Jersey before her family moved to Winnetka, Illinois. She grew up exploring the outdoors and making memories with her older brother, Robert Emery. Never one for frilly dresses, she preferred to be outside playing — a joyful spirit that stayed with her all her life.

She graduated from New Trier East High School and continued her education at Tulsa University, where she studied Education and served as president of Delta Delta Delta sorority. Linda earned both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Arts in Education, beginning a career dedicated to the care and empowerment of students with special needs.

She started her teaching career at Hissom Memorial Center and later taught in Union Public Schools of Tulsa, Oklahoma. After moving to Atlanta, she continued teaching in Cherokee County, Georgia, where she worked as a special education teacher, facilitator, and Teacher on Special Assignment. One of her proudest contributions was helping to develop the Cherokee County Transition Academy. She retired in 2019, having touched countless lives through her wisdom, patience, and dedication.

Linda was predeceased by her parents, Robert William Emery Jr. and Maureen Phillips Emery.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 41 years, Philip VanFossen; her daughters, Amy VanFossen and Christine VanFossen; her grandchildren, Owen Jones, R.W. Bentivegna, Eleanor Jones, and Lily Bentivegna; and her brother, Robert Emery.

Linda loved the outdoors and was happiest in nature—taking walks with friends, boating and fishing on the lake with her family, playing tennis and pickleball, golfing, gardening, and bird watching. She was also an active and generous community member, supporting organizations like Cherokee County Special Olympics, Children’s Haven, and the American Cancer Society.

Linda's life was guided by her faith. She believed in showing Christ’s love through kind, meaningful actions. She cherished her Bible study group, affectionately called “Bible to Bubbles,” where she found community and spiritual growth.

More than anything, Linda was a dedicated and loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She poured her heart into her family and found her greatest joy in watching her daughters grow into mothers and spending time with her four grandchildren. Her strength, grace, and deep compassion were a gift to everyone who knew her.

A celebration of Linda’s life will be held at 11am on June 12, 2025 at Woodstock Funeral Home 8855 Main St Woodstock, GA 30188. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Cherokee County Special Olympics, Children’s Haven, or the American Cancer Society.

She will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered.

Charitable donations to in lieu of flowers to be sent to: Cherokee County Special Olympics at https://cherokeeso.com

Or American Cancer Society - https://donate.cancer.org/?campaign=survivorhero&lang=en