Linda Z Garcia

Linda, affectionately known as "Lin", was born in Hollywood, California on Feb 12, 1941. Her dad's career moved the family from big, bustling Hollywood to a tiny, sleepy town in GA called Austell and eventually to Birmingham, MI just before Lin's senior year in high school. After high school, she attended Michigan State University (GO SPARTANS) where she studied Early Childhood Education and became sister of Alpha Xi Delta sorority. After graduation, she took on further studies abroad, in France. She returned to the states for a teaching position in California and Michigan before choosing to further her education one summer at the University of Florida (GO GATORS). It was that summer where she met the love of her life, Frank. They married 6 months later and spent the next 58 years together.

They lived in Clearwater where she taught kindergarten and was one of the original 12 kindergarten teachers in Pinellas County. After the teacher strike of 1968, she chose to start a family instead of going back to work. Eventually they had two daughters, Kristi Lynn and Leslie Jean. Lin was a wonderful mom, volunteering at their schools, in their classrooms and PTA. She also volunteered in their various activities like girl scouts and swimming. When she did eventually go back to teaching, she taught preschool at locally owned, Wilhelm's Nursery School.

Her life was centered around education, from her early kindergarten teaching to later preschool teaching and before retirement she traveled the country attending educational conventions selling personalized teacher gifts created by Especially For You, a company a friend of hers had started. Lin also joined PEO sisterhood chapter in Pinellas County, which helped provide scholarships for future female educators.

Over the years, she and Frank took many trips, in and out of the country, had much adventure, from snow skiing to scuba diving and maintained many friendships which she cherished up until her death. She and Frank also belonged to several churches throughout the years, Skycrest Methodist, Trinity Presbyterian and lastly Chapel by the Sea on Clearwater Beach.

Lin's life took on another dimension when her grandchildren were born. She adored them and spent as much time with them as she could, creating a special bond with each one. They loved their "Grammy"!

If you asked Lin 2 fun facts about herself, she'd tell you that she visited 48 out of 50 states and was a die hard Tampa Bay Rays fan!

Lin is preceded in death by her parents, Mary Kay and Boyd Zacharias, father and mother in law, Francisco Perez and Regina Garcia, brother Tom Zacharias, sister in law, Janet Zacharias, nephews; Randall and Daniel Zacharias and son in law, Bart Gardin.

Lin is survived by her husband, Frank Garcia, daughters; Kristi Harris, Leslie (Dykie) Gentry, grandchildren; Aubrey (Austin) Gould, Brett Gardin, Trey Harris, Gavin Harris and Kara Harris, nephew, Steven Zacharias and sister in law Debi Zacharias.

A celebration of life gathering for Linda will be held Sunday, February 12, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at 9854 - Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 2853 SUNSET POINT RD, CLEARWATER, FL 33759.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sylvanabbey.com for the Garcia family.