Linda Marie Stacy

Linda Marie Stacy April 22, 1958-July 15, 2012 Here we have the brilliant sun The dark loam The sparkling sea. The hearts of son, kin, friends, dogs Across the further shore Something else is calling. I have no words to tell you what I see. I would never leave you Except I know, my loves, I will hold you all again. Born April 22, 1958, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, to a Yank, Herbert Stacy, and an English lass, Edith Joyce Stacy (née Pringle), Linda grew up in an interesting, slightly off-kilter family. Money was not abundant, but there was no shortage of love, dogs, singing, an appreciation for sea, forest and mountains, and a love of reading and learning. Both her parents served in World War II in England and finally settled in Clinton, Maryland, where Linda attended school. In 1968 a decision was made to return to England but the attempt was short-lived. The family's return to America initially landed them in NYC and from there they decided to live in Phillie. Leaving the Manhattan dock, the family took a legendary and illegal cab ride to Phillie with a NYC cabbie who loaded his car up with all the Stacy family members: eight people, two dogs, two birds and two guinea pigs. After a few further adventures, the family finally settled in Alexandria, Virginia. Linda graduated from Groveton High School in 1976 and the University of Virginia in 1980, earning a degree in English (high distinction). She earned a master's degree in business management from Marymount University in 2005. Linda married Thomas Nichols in 1983. Their son, Michael Christian, was born on March 27, 1989. They worked together to raise Michael after their divorce. They were also parents to a beautiful stillborn son, Christian Jordan, treasured forever. Michael was the light of Linda's life, the source of great pride and joy. Michael's great-grandmother was a survivor of the Titanic who remarried after she lost her husband with the ship, thus proving that from great tragedies a lineage of fortunate events can ensue. Linda was a career federal employee, beginning as a writer at the Defense Mapping School. She worked most of her career at the Defense Logistics Agency, where she served in a number of capacities, from public affairs to customer outreach to strategic planning. She was very close to a number of DLA employees and was proud to serve with them and call them friends. She earned two medals for her support to the agency. A lifelong vegetarian, Linda held a special compassion for animals of all kinds, but dogs in particular. Over her life she treasured companions Sooner, Misty, Jake, Jake and Elwood. Her parents and many beloved uncles and aunts predeceased her. In addition to her son, Linda leaves behind her sisters Dorothy and Joyce (Bowser), brothers Michael, Paul and Christopher, aunt Dorothy Whitehead, English cousins Keith and Pat Pringle and Gary and Denise Connor, Colin and Susan Cherry of Australia as well as many nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind many wonderful and supportive friends, and her lifelong treasured best friend, Theresa Lester, and her son Adam. (" I packed my bag and in it I put...") Linda was fortunate to have the spiritual guidance of Father John Weatherly and Rev. Meredith Heffner from St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Alexandria, Virginia