I always credit Linda for "saving my life". In 1991, when I was suddenly widowed at a young age, Linda came into my life. At that time, I was unemployed and had two young sons to rear on my own. Linda, a total stranger at that time, called me and offered me a part-time position at New Choices, a single parent /displaced homemaker program sponsored by Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). This appointment led to my current position of Coordinator of Family and Consumer Sciences Education. I will always remember that on the first day I reported for work I found an AAFCS membership application on my desk. From that moment on I never doubted Linda's true dedication to AAFCS, PAFCS and our profession. She exemplifies everything we should all be!

During her undergraduate education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, she attended Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, MI.  She received her B.S. from from IUP in 1966, receiving a M.Ed. in 1974 from IUP, as well as taking additional graduate courses at The Pennsylvania State University and Hood College, Frederick, MD. 

She had a varied career including secondary teaching from 1966-1972, during which time she instituted a child development laboratory in the high school. She served as an instructor at IUP from 1979-81, 1985; and finally as an adult career counselor and director of the single parent/displaced homemaker program in Indiana and Armstrong Counties, (PA) from 1986-2002.  She also served as the Executive Director of the PA Association of Family and Consumer Sciences for 30 years, retiring in April of 2006. The amount of time, hard work, and dedication that she put into that role is beyond anything words could ever express.

She was given several distinctive honors including IUP's annual award from the Graduate School for "Outstanding Achievement in Public Service" in 2002;  a national award for the Advancement of Women's Leadership, by the Women's Leadership Institute of Wells College, June 11, 1994; and as Outstanding Professional by the PA Association of Family & Consumer Sciences, 1983. 

She was elected Treasurer of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, 1986-1988 and served on the AAFCS Foundation, as well as chairing numerous national committees of AAFCS including Nominating, Bylaws, and Home Economists in Homemaking.

Since 1996, she has served the Southwestern PA Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America as a Lay Worship Leader.  She is the Coordinator of the Lay Training Program for the synod and served a term on Synod Council as well as a member of the Ministry Committee. 

She and her husband of 43 years (Reed) spend much of their free time now traveling to California to visit their daughter, son-in-law, and four grandchildren.

I am honored to place her in the AAFCS Centennial Virtual Hall of Fame.

Nominated by:

Sally M. McCombie, Ph.D.

2009-10 President of PAFCS