Linda Evans Cornelio

Linda Evans Cornelio, 77, born August 30, 1947, passed away after a brief battle with cancer in the early morning hours of September 28, 2024. A breast cancer survivor since 2002, who overcame many other health setbacks since that victory, her family wishes to thank God for the additional years she was gifted. Her family also wishes to extend sincerest gratitude to most of the nursing staff of St. Vincent's Riverside and those of Community Hospice & Palliative Care who provided her comfort and dignity during her final days and hours. Genuinely sweet, hospitable, and tenderhearted, "Miss Linda" was the quintessential Southern Belle. From the outpouring of grief since her death, it is a tribute to her kindness and agreeable disposition that Mrs. Cornelio will be missed by everyone who ever had the pleasure of meeting her.

Mrs. Cornelio was predeceased by her parents, Alice Hornstein and Thomas N. Evans, Jr., PE, and her husband of 22 years, Henry Nolan (Hank) Cornelio. An avid pet lover, who often pet sat, she was recently saddened by the loss of her pet Bengal, Sir Winston. She is survived by her devoted son, Aaron Gibson-Evans and his fiancé, Michael Cullum, whom she lovingly referred to as her "son-in-love," her stepdaughter, Kim Nauright (Kevin) and their daughter, Lindsey, her brother Tom Evans (Shari), her niece, Mary Woods (Justin) and their boys, Carter and Cole, her uncle, Bob Evans (Kaye), and many cousins and close friends.

A native of Jacksonville who grew up in Holly Oaks Forest, Mrs. Cornelio was a 1965 graduate of Terry Parker High School. She went on to attend the University of Florida and Palm Beach Community College. From 1970-72, Mrs. Cornelio was a member of the North Florida Corvette Association where she won many races in Daytona.

Retired from Sea-Land Services, where she worked for 27 years, Mrs. Cornelio was a member of The Propeller Club of Jacksonville, Harbour Queens red hat club, Newcomers Club of The First Coast, Southside Newcomers, a former member of The Jacksonville Symphony Guild, a former Patron member of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, and a former volunteer with the annual Community Hospice Earl B. Hadlow Center for Caring Angel Tree Project. She will also be missed by her canasta and mahjong groups. A lover of books and a voracious reader, Mrs. Cornelio will certainly be mourned by the Jacksonville Public Library, as well.

Mrs. Cornelio was proudest most of being a mother and it's widely known that her son, Aaron, was her "greatest accomplishment." It is also true that Mrs. Cornelio was her son's hero and he will always cherish her steadfast dedication, her many sacrifices, and her purest display of unconditional love.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11am on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at St. John's Cathedral. Flowers are welcomed, but should anyone be so inclined, donations to honor the life of Linda Evans Cornelio may be made to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida.