Linda Sue Wellner

Born on October 31, 1952, in Houston, Texas, she was the youngest of three children. Born to parents who were Holocaust survivors, she inherited a profound strength and resilience. Together with her mother’s three brothers, her family rebuilt their lives and restarted a family bakery business that is still thriving today.

Linda was a brilliant, magnetic force who lived a vibrant, multi-faceted life as a pioneer in San Diego's fitness industry and a deeply dedicated mental health professional. She graduated from the University of La Verne in 1979 with a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology and later completed her Ph.D. coursework in Clinical Psychology.

For over 40 years, Linda served her community as a psychotherapist. She was the EAP Manager for the City of San Diego, a Critical Incident Stress Management provider, and a member of the Gig Harbor Board of Peninsula Emergency Preparedness Coalition, where she provided Psychological First Aid. Her defining goal in every interaction was to help others improve their quality of life, and teach empowerment to feel safe enough to become the best versions of themselves.

Beyond her clinical work, her energy was unmatched. She was actively involved in teaching fitness classes for over 40 years, enjoyed mountain biking, loved West-Coast Swing dancing, and was a passionate fan of live music and fostering dogs. Her life was a testament to her profound capacity for healing, leadership, and deep connection with her community.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Janie; her father, Bernard; and her brother, Maurye.

A deeply compassionate mother, she is remembered for her fierce love. She is survived by her sons, Gary and Charley; her son-in-law, Logan; her stepchildren, Maggie and Patrick; and the countless others she took under her wing and loved as her own.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Linda’s honor to the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center Fund using the appropriate dropdown and field entry at https://giving.massgeneral.org/donate.

Vibrant colored attire is welcomed in the spirit of celebrating Linda’s life and memory