Linda Mottaz

Beloved mother of Sara Mottaz, mother-in-law to Brett Burnette, and grandmother to her favorite person in the whole world, Rylee Brooke. Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Abe and Florence Schuman. She was a cherished sister to Shevie Winitz, sister-in-law to Harris, loving aunt to Flora, Sim, and Jennifer, and great-aunt to Adam, Autumn, and Dylan, and dear cousin of Wayne Horwitz, Bob Gomberg, Sally Bond, Robin Schacherer, Bill Gomberg, Lee Schuman, Sheryl Sekine, and Steven Horwitz.

Linda had many amazing friends, including Irwin Shaw whom she met in kindergarten, cousin Sharon Pierson whom she spoke to everyday, and her rocks: Ginny Berichon, Scott Hanson, Mary Ketterer, Hilda Ochalek, and Ann Sartin.

A private burial was held for Linda in Chicago.

A graduate of the University of Missouri, Linda earned a degree in Elementary Education. Although she loved teaching and was passionate about education, she spent most of her career working at National City Bank. She started as teller, moved into the training department, and finished by managing the healthcare benefits. After "retiring" Linda became a benefits manager for a brokerage consulting firm.

Linda loved living in Bay Village and believed she lived on the best street with the greatest neighbors. She loved all the arts, sports and entertainment opportunities in Cleveland and the beauty of Lake Erie. She spent a lot of time driving in her convertible with the top down, going to concerts, musicals, the ballet, and meeting her friends for breakfast, lunch, and happy hours. Linda was a gourmet cook and enjoyed entertaining. She had hundreds of records, cassettes, and CDs. Linda spent a great deal of time reading and reserved the hottest books from the Bay Library, focusing on politics and romance. She enjoyed watching old movies, musicals and classic TV shows. She was passionate about college football and loved rooting for her Tigers and the Buckeyes.

Throughout her life, Linda performed various volunteer jobs for the American Cancer Society, Cleveland Ballet, Bay Democratic Club, Cuyahoga Dems, Cleveland Food Bank, Susan G. Komen Foundation, Bay Garden Club, and Bay Women's Club. Even though she worked full time, whenever she could, she helped out at Sara's schools and events.

A lifelong democrat, Linda volunteered for several state and national political campaigns. She lived on a corner and displayed campaign signs in her yard, and stumped for her candidates by making phone calls, writing post cards, or her preferred way of going door-to-door. Linda was a certified election day worker and was often in charge of tallying the votes and delivering them to the county elections office. In 2010, Linda became an elected official! She was voted in as a Precinct Committee Official, a job she took seriously, but laughed when anyone said it was a big deal. She spent a great deal of time registering people to vote and often said "I don't care who you vote for, I just want you to vote!"

Family and friends were very important to Linda, and she made a point of keeping in touch through regular calls, meet-ups and her famous one sentence emails.

Think of Linda the next time you go to the ballet, see a musical, hear a good song, or read the latest best-seller. Have eggs benedict, enjoy some Kahlua, Coca-Cola, or a sweet rose', and make sure you vote in every election.

Remembrances can be made to the College of Education at the University of Missouri, the Cleveland Food Bank, the American Cancer Society, or the Dwyer Senior Center of Bay Village.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.berkowitzkuminbookatzfunerals.com for the Mottaz family.