LINDA JEAN VAN PRAAG

Linda and I met as volunteers at Alternatives Corner Book store In West Hempstead in the early 80's.  We became fast friends.  Her quick wit and intellegence, and ability to care about everyone and everything were unmatchable.  We began leading a Mothers Group, and this branched out into groups for Singles, Seniors, Couples, and a group for Health care professionals.  Linda could fit in with any group, and would listen wholey to womyn and counsel them wisely.

I lost track of Mary and Linda after I relocated to Florida in 1994.  I have tried for the last few years to find them, never thinking, or remembering the Von Praag name.  I thank Dee for her e.mail and pictures.  Linda and I were fast friends.

Mary, Rob and Philip -- you are in my thoughts.  I saw the boys when they were maybe 9 or 10.  Now they are men.  Please know that I am thinking of you.  Mary...I am so sorry for your loss.  I hope you will keep in touch with me now that we found each other.  RIP Linda.  Too soon.

Just this past summer, myself, mom and Melissa all went to the Nassau Coliseum Fair.  I think it was just back in June.  Mom was having more problems walking those days so we took her around on her wheelchair and it proved to be perfect!  I had my career night at the fair that night... I shot out the star in that hard to do "shoot out the red star" game... I won a giant stuffed tiger for that.  Anything we played that night... I won... and we just continued to pile all those stuffed animals and prizes onto mom and her wheelchair.  It was fun...and she was "that person"... the one you see carrying all the prizes and stuffed animals at the fair that everyone points at and wonders how they did it.  She loved it.  It was a great night.. she always loved the Nassau Coliseum Fair.

THERE ARE SO MANY MEMORIES TO SHARE..  LINDA ALWAYS HAD A SMILE..ALWAYS KNEW  WHERE YOU WERE COMING FROM.  SHE WAS PATIENT AND UNDERSTANDING WITH OTHERS

IN FACT TO UNDERSTANDING..TO PEOPLE THAT TOOK ADVANTAGE OF HER GOOD NATURE.

SHE ALWAYS TURNED THE OTHER CHEEK. AND LOOKED FOR THE GOOD IN PEOPLE

IF SHE WAS YOUR FRIEND.. SHE STOOD BEHIND YOU 100%..  HARDLY EVER LOST HER TEMPER.. NEVER RAISED HER VOICE..JUST GAVE YOU A SMILE THAT WAS HARD TO READ...

SHE WAS MY BEST AUDIENCE LISTENING TO MY CORNEY JOKES. IF I WAS UPSET ABOUT SOMETHING, SHE TALKED ME OUT OF IT...AND BOY COULD SHE TALK   LOL LOL

SHE STUCK UP FOR ME MANY TIMES.. I COULD ALWAYS DEPEND ON HER TO SHINE A LIGHT ON MOST MATTERS.. I WILL MISS THAT CONNECTION BIG TIME... EVERY DAY SINCE SHE PASSED I HAVE PICKED UP THE PHONE TO CALL HER...ITS A HABIT TO SPEAK DAILY.. LINDA WAS AS CLOSE TO ME AS A SISTER...I WILL MISS HER VERY MUCH, ESPECIALLY WHEN I COME TO TERMS THAT SHE IS GONE FROM THIS EARTH...IF I KNEW THERE WAS A STRONG SIGNAL TO WHERE SHE IS RIGHT NOW, I WOULD GIVE HER A BUZZ ON HER CELL PHONE...BUT THAT CANT BE...SO WE NEED TO MOVE ON AS LINDA WOULD HAVE WANTED US TO DO...SO.... THATS WHAT I WILL DO.. AFTER SATURDAYS DEDICATION... I WILL MOVE ON