Linda L. Cozzolino

She was preceded in death by her parents, and brother, Dick Bradley. Linda is survived by her husband, James Cozzolino of Springfield; son, Grant (Tracey Boyce) Wilson of Springfield; daughters, Kelley (Tom Grant) Wilson of Carbondale, Callie (Louie Greenebaum) Cozzolino of Chicago, and Layne (Josh Stolzenburg) Cozzolino of Amherst Junction, WI; two grandsons, Coz Greenebaum and Penn Stolzenburg; two nephews; and best friends, John and Jan Oaks and Nick, Shaun, and Lyndsey Stoutamyer.

Linda was born on January 31, 1940, in Springfield, IL, the daughter of Harold and Mildred (Maisenbacher) Bradley. Linda graduated from Springfield High School in 1958 and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1962. She was married to Gary Paul Wilson in 1961, and together they welcomed and raised their two children, Kelley and Grant, until his passing in July of 1975. Linda was briefly married to Thomas J. O’Brien from 1976 to 1981 and earned a master’s in counseling from the University of Illinois-Springfield during that time. On December 18, 1999, in Chicago, she wed James Cozzolino, who remained her loving and devoted husband until her passing.

Linda was an English teacher for District 186 at both Springfield High and Lanphier for 34 years. In the 80s, she assisted students in leadership development at the Abraham Lincoln Institute. Beyond traditional teaching, she founded and became Director of Problem Design for the Problem-Based Learning Institute up until her retirement in 2002. She completed her doctoral course work at Southern Illinois University. Linda also worked for SIU in the Illinois Office of Educational Services as the State Health Coordinator for six years after her retirement.

At home, Linda loved decorating the house with art and relics from a life well-lived and it always changed with the seasons. She could often be found puttering around the kitchen with the radio on. Linda was smart, well-read, curious, worldly, and always on the go. She loved fashion and was always gorgeously dressed and immaculately put together.

Every year, Linda and Jim celebrated their anniversary with a weekend trip to Chicago. Travel was important to Linda, and she looked forward to planning trips. California held a special place in her heart, and she loved driving down the coastline, stopping at restaurants overlooking the water, and staying in Imperial Beach and Palm Desert. Plus, she also looked forward to the shops on El Paseo. California wasn’t the only place that had her heart; her adventurous spirit was enthralled with each and every location she visited.

Over the past couple of years, Linda’s health began to deteriorate from diabetes and a heart condition. Despite her health challenges, she maintained her dignity, good nature, and sweet disposition. As she lived, she died surrounded by the love and light of family and friends. She will be missed and remembered with love.

Cremation was provided by Butler Cremation Tribute Center.

Memorial Ceremony & Gathering: 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 28, 2023, at Butler Funeral Home – Springfield, 900 S. Sixth St., Springfield, with Celebrant Judy Woerner officiating. Memorial Gathering will follow until 7:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to:

● St. John’s Hospital Wound Center, 800 E. Carpenter, Springfield, IL 62769

● Lincoln Library, 326 South 7th Street, Springfield, IL 62701

● American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 15829, Arlington, VA 22215

● Patient Access Network Foundation, P.O. Box 716408, Philadelphia, PA 19171