Linda Hartung

Linda E. Hartung, 96, a retired public health nurse for the Public Health Service and the District of Columbia, Washington, DC died May 9th of respiratory and heart failure at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, MD.

Ms. Hartung graduated from the School of Nursing at The Johns Hopkins University (JHU) in 1939. She began her long career in nursing at the JHU Hospital in Baltimore, MD. She later served with the US Public Health Service in South Florida, moved to the District in 1947, and thereafter served as a public health nurse with the District of Columbia until her retirement in 1978.

She was an untiring servant of public health, concentrating on child health care and welfare with a significant member of families/children served throughout the District and Prince George’s County, MD.

Born and raised in Tamaqua, PA the daughter of John and Clara Hartung, she graduated from TAmaquq High School before entering JHU in Baltimore, MD and starting her nursing career. Her siblings Elfrieda Jaffin, Miriam Stauffer and Jack Hartung, CDR, USN, Ret. predeceased Ms. Hartung.

Ms. Hartung also was an accomplished concert pianist having given numerous recitals and accompanying a number of musicians and vocalists in the District. She was an untiring animal welfare advocate and supported a number of animal welfare organizations, locally and nationwide. She also volunteered regularly as a staff assistant at many election polling stations throughout the District. Ms. Hartung was a member of the Lutheran Church of Reformation on Capitol Hill for over 60 years.

She most fervently loved the life and activity that was Capitol Hill, and she leaves many friends in the area, as well as her companion, Pepper, her rescued cat.

She is survived by her nephews, Captain Fred Jaffin, USN (Ret.) of Ambler, PA/Gilroy, CA and Dale Stauffer of Hilton Head, SC and nieces Barbara Jordan of Princeton, NJ and Donna Stauffer of Allentown, PA. Friends and relatives are invited to call from 7pm to 9pm at JOSEPH GAWLER’S SONS, INC, 5130 Wisconsin Avenue, NW (Corver of Harrison Street) Washington, DC 20016 with internment at the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Tamaqua, PA. Memorial Contributions may be made in her name to Hospice Caring, Inc. 700 Conservation Lane, Suite 100, Gaithersburg, MD 20878. Arrangements under the direction of Joseph Gawler's Sons, Inc., Washington, DC.