Linda Wood

Linda was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Mindy and Chuck Fossati. She was married to her beloved husband Jack for more than forty-six years and also leaves her beloved son Kevin. Her family was the light of her life. She is also survived by two brothers, Carlos and Lee Fossati (predeceased), a sister Cathy, many nieces and nephews, her husband’s extended family, and many loving friends.

Linda secured her Associate's Degree in nursing from Holyoke Community College and a Bachelor's Degree in Public Health at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Furthering her education, she earned a Master’s of Public Health Degree in Chronic Disease Epidemiology and Biostatistics from Yale University. It goes without saying she loved the world of medicine and nursing.

Linda was the consummate medical writing professional held in the highest esteem by all who knew her. In 1990 Linda established her own company, MedWrite Inc, which provided biopharmaceutical and biomedical device companies with written documentation supporting their product’s safety and efficacy, a requirement for commercialization and good medical care. She was a passionate advocate for the profession, forming and serving as the first active chairperson of the DIA Medical Writing Community and serving as President of her local American Medical Writers Association chapter. One of her most significant accomplishments was authoring, with MaryAnn Foote, one of the first books on medical writing, "Targeting Regulatory Writing Techniques," which has served as a valuable source of information for beginning medical writers as well as more experienced writers interested in improving their skills. Most importantly, she was a kind, compassionate, and generous mentor to other medical writers, and an inspiration to her colleagues.

Linda was a socially active woman and will be remembered for her generosity and random acts of kindness. It would be impossible to identify all those she helped throughout her lifetime. Simply put, she truly left the world a better place.

While on Cape Cod, she was a member of Cape Cod Medical Reserve Corps and volunteered numerous hours providing COVID vaccinations throughout her community. She was an active member of the Eastham Dog Owners Association, advocating for dogs on Cape Cod.

Linda loved to travel and research in-depth new horizons to share with family and friends throughout her life as she immersed herself in their cultures. Most memorable was her recent trip to South Africa with her husband and friends Connie and Mary Jane. Also, she fulfilled her lifelong dream of traveling to Italy and the Amalfi Coast with her son Kevin, which was one of the high points of her life.

Linda was happiest around her family and her son's many friends, who claimed her to be their second mom. She also found happiness in simple things: watching people (especially young children), walking on Cape Cod beaches, spending time with her walking partner Karen, and creating endless food choices for Jack and Kevin. She had many beloved dogs in her life: Odah, Schnicky, Bandit, Kenya, and her “sweet little baby,” Keida, who were blessed to be in her care.

Her hearty laugh was contagious to the point where she would sometimes almost fall out of her chair. Linda’s laughter, humor, and lovely spirit always brightened the lives of her friends and family.

The Wood family would like to express their gratitude to all of the Cape Cod nursing staff for their exemplary care. In the end, Linda, a lifetime nurse, acknowledged their kindness.

May Linda’s life and love and kind spirit live on in those who loved her.

A celebration of Linda's life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, her family would appreciate donations in her memory to her favorite charities:

• Animal Rescue League of Boston (www.arlboston.org/donate/)

• National Multiple Sclerosis Society (https://secure.nationalmssociety.org/site/Donation)

• Cape Cod Healthcare (https://www.capecodhealth.org/ways-to-give/)

• Habitat for Humanity (https://www.habitat.org/together-we-build)