Linda Thornburg

Above all, she was devoted to her family and faith – from childhood days with her parents and brother, Don, and her beloved aunts, uncles and cousins to her having her own family later. As recent as yesterday, and constantly while growing up, I heard how charming and kind mom was. Ours was the home where the friends came to hang out. Linda Biltz married Joseph Thornburg in 1960, in Oxford, Ohio, and her horizon expanded.

Linda sought a life of adventure and gently pushed the standards set for women at the time. Her childhood heroine, Wonder Woman, reflected Linda's budding traits that she embodied her whole life - of being strong, independent, and believing in the dignity of all beings - all while mimicking her heroine by wearing aluminum-foil, bullet-reflecting bracelets that she made for herself.

Dad’s work moved us around the U.S. leading to the adventure of being a part of the NASA Apollo program in Florida, which she loved. They jumped at the opportunity to move to Europe with NASA, reflecting again their passion for travel, exploration, and of learning other cultures. In conversations over the years, she often talked about feeling fortunate to have lived so many places and grateful for these opportunities.

Mom used her gifts in several career paths, including modeling; as an artist for the space program and in graphic design; and partnering with Joe on committees of the ISDT (ISDE) international motorcycle event, being excited to again travel more and to help teams from around the world.

Linda was a devoted friend. One example being her closest friend of many decades. Two young moms that met as neighbors in 1962 and became unbreakable threads in each other’s lives. She also held dear the friendships formed as part of “the bank ladies” during her role as a loan officer in Evansville. Her last job, with more friendship-building in and after work, was with Dr. Aziz Mehrzad/family and the team at the Deaconess Sr. Center. And through her many incarnations, she remained at her core, a trusted, encouraging, unconditionally loving, strong mom, grandma, and wife.

She spent hours gardening, always incorporating plants that danced with the breezes, joking that she was happy with flower dirt on her hands, having time to talk with God with the warmth of the sun, the songs of the birds, and being connected with the earth. She dedicated immeasurable hours creating photo albums with humorous and loving comments. She lived for - the times that the family could gather together; summer visits with her grandchildren; for seeing her loved ones succeed in their endeavors; Christmas/Santa Claus; and … ice cream.

Linda was born on June 10, 1940, into the creative home of Clifford E. and Alma R. Biltz (nee Wendel). She said farewell to her husband Joe, when he passed in 1995.

Mom is at peace. She told me in recent months, “I have have had an amazing life.” She would hope that you see the world as she did through her favorite song, “What a Wonderful World” and would hope that you lighten people’s lives a bit with a smile to a stranger who may need one.

Memorial contributions can be made to: Smile Train (www.smiletrain.org) or One Tree Planted (www.onetreeplanted.org/products/gifttrees).

Condolences may be offered at: www.AlexanderNorthChapel.com.