May 16, 1943 - November 3, 2023
In loving memory ~
Linda passed away peacefully at the Victoria Hospice on November 3, 2023, at the age of 80, surrounded by the love of her family.
Linda was born in West Vancouver, BC, to Harold and Margaret Williams. Growing up in the "Wild West" of Vancouver's North Shore, Linda enjoyed an active childhood with her brother Doug and sister Kathy. Summers were spent up in Roberts Creek and later on in the Cariboo, working at a lodge on Chimney Lake.
Linda was an active and successful sportswoman. In 1964, she was the goalie on the Canadian Women's Field Hockey Team in international play, and in 1965, she received the Barbara Schrodt Trophy as the greatest all-around contributor to women's sport at UBC. After finishing her teaching degree at UBC, Linda began her teaching career at Williams Lake Secondary School in 1965.
In Williams Lake, she met the love of her life, Bill McDonald, a fellow young teacher whom she married in 1968. They enthusiastically settled into their Cariboo life, building their first home together on South Lakeside, where they welcomed their daughters Leanne and Rylee. After 33 years of teaching and counselling, Linda joined Bill in retirement in 1998 and passionately threw herself into her community. Retirement was busy as she volunteered with the Williams Lake Curling Club, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Victims Services, and worked for Elections BC and Elections Canada. In 2011, Linda and Bill made the decision to leave Williams Lake and travel full-time.
In 2014, Linda and Bill settled in James Bay, Victoria, where Linda embraced her new role as grandmother to Eilidh and Finley (Rylee) and Kate and Madeleine (Leanne). In between her worldwide adventures with Bill, she (finally) learned how to bake cookies and revelled in the time she got to spend as "Nana."
Linda will be missed deeply by Bill, with whom she celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary this past August. She leaves a big hole in the hearts of her daughters Leanne (Chris) and Rylee (Tony), her grandchildren, her sister Kathy (Ken), and her brother Doug (Melissa).
The family would like to thank Dr. MacGregor, Dr. McArdle and the staff at the Liver Care Clinic, and most of all, the staff of the Victoria Hospice, for their loving care of Linda.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your local hospice. A celebration of life is being planned for next spring in Victoria.