Linda Dean Popp

She was the strongest woman there ever was.

Not just during her cancer fight, but all her life.

Being born and raised in Detroit, MI, she often reminded others that she was going to “fight like a Detroit girl.”

Linda was a devoted Daughter, Sister, Granddaughter, Niece, Cousin, Friend, Aunt, Wife, Mother, and Grandmother. She dedicated all of her years on earth to making sure her family was well cared for and loved. Because of that, Linda spent much of her life being a caregiver. Not only to her Mother, Grandmother, and Aunt Betty, but also to countless animals over the years.

Linda always had so many stories to tell about her youth, especially on Lakeview. She could remember everyone and everything. She loved to talk about the crazy times and the fun that was had. She always had a story about watching over her sister, Michele. They were 7 years apart and Linda was always there to make sure she was doing ok. She was the VERY very best big sister.

Out of everything, Linda’s favorite title might have been Aunt or as her nieces called her, ADA.

When her oldest niece would try to say Aunt Linda, it would instead come out as ,”Ada”, and it stuck for all 39 years of being an Aunt.

She ended up with 2 nieces, 2 great nieces, and 2 great nephews. They all agree that there could never be another Ada… she was a treasure.

She loved all of her “babies” so so deeply, including her 5 Grand babies who she absolutely adored. One of which, Marli Dean, was named after her, and she was so so “tickled”.

When Linda was in her forties, her sweet Mother started to develop Alzheimer's. Linda then decided to take a chance and move to Petersburg, Indiana, where her Mother was originally from and where they could live a more quiet and peaceful life. This also meant she could fulfill her dream of having a Farm. So together with her Mom, Grandma, And Aunt Betty, they began a new life in Indiana. Eventually, they named the Farm “Dandy Acres”. And not long after that, Linda met her “southern gentleman”, Mark Popp. With Mark she also gained two young boys who she loved so very much.

While in Indiana there was lots of singing of old country music with the “Golden Girls”, lots of cooking, four wheeling, and spending time with all of the animals. There were dogs, cats, horses, catfish, turkeys, guineas, chickens, and more.

Speaking of cooking, Linda opened a small food trailer called “Lindy’s LunchBox” and she loved every moment of it! Indiana brought Linda many happy memories and a lot of joy.

Linda loved to talk in great detail and length. She was a true storyteller. Linda was funnier than she ever realized. She loved music and having a dance here and there. She made sure to call or text her family if bad weather was coming.

She always said be careful and I love you.

She taught her family so many things about life and love. Linda loved her Lord and always reminded her family to pray in Jesus name. She had a strong faith and was a true believer.

Her lessons and wisdom will be missed greatly missed. Linda believed in women’s rights, loving one another, and to VOTE BLUE. She was a lover and a fighter, a protector of everyone she loved and all animals, and was the true definition of a Bad Ass!

Linda had a heart of gold and meant everything to her family. There will forever be a missing piece without their beloved, Linda Dean. She will be greatly missed.

Linda is survived by her husband of 21 years, Mark Popp; sons Joshua (Rebecca) Popp and Clinton Jessie (Allison) Popp; Grandchildren Abigail Popp, Matthew Popp, Marli Dean Popp, Samuel Clements, and Marguerite Popp; sister Michele Vitale; nieces Elisabetta (Jason) Stupera and Sara (Orlando) Vitale; great nieces Felix, Michela, Giorgia “GiGi”, and Cosimo “Butter bean”.

A visitation for Linda will be held Monday, December 12, 2022 from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Resurrection Funeral Home, 40800 Hayes Road in Clinton Township. A funeral service will occur Monday evening at 7:00 pm at the funeral home. Family will gather on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at 11:00 am at the funeral home for prayers before going in procession to Cadillac Memorial Gardens East where the burial will take place at 12:00 pm.

In memory of Linda, donations are appreciated to Detroit Dog Rescue, 24429 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48219, and Marty’s Place for Animals, 79223 Brown Rd, Bruce Township, MI 48065.