Linda Marie Martini

Linda was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. She was the second daughter of Anthony and Lucia Martini. Linda held dear her Brooklyn girlhood, enjoying the many unique advantages of life in New York during the 1950s-1960s.

Linda graduated from Franklin K Lane High School, and received a BA degree in History and Philosophy from New York University, graduating with honors in History. She continued her education and earned a master’s degree in library science from Pratt Institute.

In her heyday, Linda was a bona fide beauty. She was stunning, and she turned heads, especially when she sported one of her many chapeaus!

Linda worked for several years for The New York Public Library. Then in 1973 her wanderlust persuaded her to move to Paris, where she lived for 3 years, enjoying la vie Francaise and perfecting her French. On her return to New York, she worked for several companies. But her proudest accomplishment was when she founded Marlin Publications. She published several technical books. However, her specialty was as a book middleman, locating hard to find books for universities and pharmaceutical companies.

Linda had Raynaud’s Syndrome, a condition which causes an extreme sensitivity to cold weather. This disorder motivated her to relocate to Phoenix in 1991. She never regretted her decision, and fully enjoyed her life in the desert. She was thrilled with Arizona’s affordable housing market, and in 1996 found the townhome of her dreams on Palacio Place. She named her villa “Jasmine Court”, after the jasmine that grew near her door. Linda was partial to entertaining, and she loved to have friends and family over for gatherings at her cozy home. Linda was quite the good chef, cooking up flavorful recipes for herself and friends, including her special lasagna. As well, Linda found joy in gardening, particularly with her beautiful rose garden. Oh, what large, colorful and beauteous roses she grew!

Linda’s uppermost passion was to live the life of the mind. A devotion to books gave meaning to Linda’s life. She amassed an impressive library of books relating to history, philosophy and politics, which she actually read and intended to complete reading before her time on earth ended. Linda was sustained by discourse as well. She became animated when engaging in debate on the news of the day. She was always the best informed. Surely, she prized the debate!

Linda cherished her group of friends which was comprised of comrades from her school days and folks she met in Phoenix. She nurtured her relationships with regular lengthy phone calls. Indeed, she was known to “keep in touch”. Linda held a special place in her heart for her dear friend Chuck Petersen. Chuck began as her handyman, but he became in Linda’s words “the son I never had”. Their friendship was a source of affection and security for Linda.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, and her sister, Carol Gerenetski. She is survived by her younger sister Elinor Martini. Linda is also survived by her nephew Richard Gerenetski, and her nieces Christine Scheideler and Carolyn Leong. As well, Linda shared her life with 2 pussy cats: Lily and Schatzy.

Enfin, Linda would wish that you remember her as the unique, intelligent and intellectual woman she was, and know that she was a true friend.