Linda Rae Bradley

Linda R. Bradley, 75, passed away on February 6, 2016. Linda battled ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) for the last two years, and died as she wished, at home surrounded by her immediate family, and supported by the love of many family members and friends.

Born Linda Rae Smith on February 28th, 1940 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Linda graduated from Altoona High School in 1958 and Juniata College in 1962. She was married to her husband and life-long partner Gordon on June 16, 1962.

Committed to both public and private education her entire life, Linda began her career teaching biology at Easton High School in Pennsylvania. After moving to the Monterey Peninsula in 1973, she served as a teacher’s aide and supervised enrichment programs at Carmel River School. She began a twenty-five year career at All Saints’ Day School in 1977. Initially a fifth grade teacher, she moved on to teaching math and science in the upper grades. She was particularly talented in motivating students of all levels, and regardless of gender, to excel in mathematics. Later she served variously as head of the Upper Grades, as the interim Head of School, and closed out her tenure as the Head of School, retiring in 2003. People remember her fondly for greeting all of the children and parents at drop-off every school morning.

Linda was a member of Church of the Wayfarer in Carmel beginning in 1975, and a member of All Saints’ Episcopal Church beginning in the middle of the 1990s. During her tenure as Head at All Saints’ Day School she served on the board of York School.

The family wishes to thank the many kind and caring people who so greatly enriched the last year of Linda’s life through her lengthy illness. In particular, we wish to thank Linda’s friend and care coordinator, Meredith Adams, RN, who facilitated all aspects of Linda’s support at home, including finding and training the exemplary team of home care-givers. The three care-givers, Jamye, Alicia and Tiffany, provided not only skilled and compassionate car e, but emotional support and friendship throughout a difficult year. Their presence was a blessing, not only for Linda but for the entire family, and we are deeply grateful for their commitment and generosity of spirit.

All of the medical care that Linda received through her long illness was skilled and compassionate. In particular, her primary physician, Dr. Gina Heal, was instrumental in making it possible for Linda to return from the hospital and to live out the final eleven months of her life with dignity, surrounded by her family in the place that was her home for forty-three years.

Linda is survived by husband Gordon; brother-in-law Stevan; son John and his wife Kristen of Saint Louis, MO; daughter Kate Faber of Salinas, CA; daughter Eileen Urban and her husband Tomislav of Austin, TX; and grandchildren Bryan, Benjamin, Nathan, Maja and Nina.

In celebration of Linda’s life, donations may be sent to All Saints’ Day School (8060 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel, CA 93923; www.asds.org).