Linda Gail Loftus

Linda was born August 4, 1957 in Jasper, AB, the first child to parents Jack (John) and Marjorie. Linda's most beloved sister Sam came along 7 years later, to Linda's great delight. Linda described herself during her childhood years as a good, quiet girl who followed the rules and did as she was told, a comment that will surely have friends chuckling. She loved playing with Sam and decided to take on much of her caretaking out of her love. Linda came from a very small extended family, but always had a close relationship with cousins Rick and Lynn in particular.

After completing high school, Linda worked at the Chaba theatre, was a bartender, and worked in administration and management at the Group of Jasper Park Lodges. Linda left home and lived for several years with her childhood sweetheart Paul, but it was while bartending that Linda met Bob, the love of her life. Linda owned a trailer at that time, but moved into the infamous "yellow house" with Bob. They had great fun together and met life-long friends during that unique time in Jasper. Bob worked for the railway and Linda managed their home and Bob's crazy work schedule. Together, Linda and Bob fulfilled their value of work hard and play hard. They had many, many friends and all could count on Linda to know the latest Jasper gossip. Linda had that rather rare ability to really listen and she drew people to her. Anyone who knows Linda first describes her as having a kind and loving heart.

Linda was with her sister Sam through her all too brief struggle with cancer, ending with her death in March 2007. Three years later, Linda's mother Marjorie also succumbed to cancer. Linda enjoyed a good relationship with her father until his death too, in 2014, following an illness. As her closest relative, Linda even more greatly appreciated and loved Sam's son Jake. Jake moved to his father Pete's care in Edmonton after his mother and grandmother died, but Linda was able to continue a very close connection with Jake over the years. All who knew Linda also knew all about "my Jake," as she called him. Linda often expressed her gratitude and the honour she felt to have Jake in her life. She treasured his visits and loved the late night calls from Jake and friends.

After Bob's retirement, he and Linda bought a beautiful winter home in Lake Havasu, AZ, and left Jasper for Kamloops. After exhausting all options, they found the perfect home across the street from long-time friend Allan. A short while later, another former Jasperite couple moved into the small neighbourhood and "the village" was born. Linda was instantly the local "Mrs Kravitz." She knew everyone and their visiting relatives! She was another grandma to the wee children in the village, opening her home and her love to them. The village dogs ignored their owners to race down to Linda's for their special treats. Neighbours gathered on summer afternoons for happy hour on Linda's porch.

It was a devastating time for Linda when her beloved Bob died suddenly at their Lake Havasu home in March, 3 years past. Linda expressed her gratitude to all her friends and family who stood with her through those hard times and provided support. But even through her own aching grief, Linda thought of others and arranged small memorials for and with special friends.

Linda was an avid reader, a sun lover, and a collector first of fish, then of roosters. She had great inner strength. She never met a plant she couldn't kill and made the worst cookies, no matter how good the recipe. She loved Wayne's butter tarts, tomato soup and chocolate. Many have enjoyed her jello shooters that all were amazed would set, given that strong vodka flavour. Linda only drove within her limited "triangle" in Kamloops and much preferred to be Ms Daisy, with Jake, neighbours and friends chauffering her. She had an infectious, devilish giggle. She never forgot a birthday, was a warm and generous woman and followed in her heart and actions her motto Live, Laugh, Love.

It is bittersweet that Linda died in March, as had Sam, her mother and Bob. We like to believe her family was there to welcome her to the next life.

The world was a brighter place with Linda in it and she will be missed so very much.

An informal celebration of life for Linda will be held at a later time. Information can be requested via email to jakehansenloftus@gmail.com (phone 780-405-0285) or sharicosco@gmail.com.