Linda Marie Dameron

Born to Clyde Warren and Helen Marie Fridenstine on December 6, 1951 in (a then very rural) Alexandria, Virginia, Linda learned in her early years to love the simple things in life and was drawn to flowers and sunshine right from the start.

Steven Frank Dameron was lucky enough to meet this spunky and joyful 15 yr. old girl in 1967 on a school bus on the way to an Edison High School basketball game. They started their life together through marriage on Valentine’s Day, 1971 at Franconia Baptist Church. After living a short time in Arlington and Springfield, in 1977 they worked alongside Linda’s father to build their forever home in Hallowing Point, a waterfront community largely untouched by time, in which they raised their 4 children: Jason, Adam, Alice, and Candice.

In addition to the all-consuming job of being a dedicated and loving mother and wife, Linda taught in the Fairfax County School System for 20+ years, spending the majority of her teaching career as the beloved Cosmetology teacher at Hayfield Secondary School. She used to say that “her students keep her young”, and she lit up with pride when they succeeded in and out of the classroom. She had high expectations for any young person in her life, which melted away attitudes and generational barriers, leaving confident and caring young adults in her wake.

Linda was a proud founding member of the infamous Hallowing Point River Rats; a boating club from a different era with enduring friendships and unbelievable tales. Underway via boat caravan to the next destination, she was happiest in the back of the boat with her feet up enjoying the sunshine and relaxing with a good book. Along with the relaxation, she took her role as “first mate” seriously, helping Steve in every aspect of boat driving and line handling, and she could pack a cooler like no one else. With her children and grandchildren, she shared not only this love of boating, but also the importance of maintaining strong friendships through common interests and adventure.

Linda was a tireless community volunteer serving in the PTA at Gunston Elementary, Hallowing Point’s Garden Club, Lorton Community Action Center, Girl Scouts, Vacation Bible School, American Heritage Girls, and most recently as a Docent at Gunston Hall. She was a true American patriot, internalizing and sharing the lessons of our country’s past with her family and tour groups while dressed in 18th century costume.

Her children and grandchildren have been immeasurably blessed by her steady presence in their lives. With them, she taught chubby fingers everything from shoe-tying to seat buckling; how to identify different plants and trees; and most importantly how to love and follow Jesus. With them, she made play-doh, planted flowers, shuttled to preschool/church/VBS, shopped, boated, splashed, blew bubbles, held hands, gave hugs, cut hair, curled hair, braided hair, baked, decorated, read books, snuggled, watched movies, and smiled her way through their busy childhoods. She was a consummate cheerleader, showing up at every sporting event, concert, play, recital, presentation, and graduation where it was even remotely acceptable to have an audience.

Linda’s unwavering faith in God played out in all these ways as she built up those around her despite her long struggle with chronic health issues. She was tough and strong and emphatically refused to let her “bad luck” (as she called it) suck the joy out of the day. She is already infinitely missed and in the words of one of her youngest grandchildren, we are all left wondering, “what’s it going to be like without Grandma?”

Linda joins her parents, Clyde and Helen Fridenstine, in Heaven.

She is survived by the only man who holds the title as her childhood sweetheart, lifelong devoted protector, “other-half”, travel partner, and husband, Steve Dameron.

She is also survived by her brothers, Dan (Linda) and Mark (Dorothy) Fridenstine, a tribe of extended Fridenstine family members, and Mother-in-law, Blanche Virginia Dameron. More than just “surviving” after her, her children and grandchildren are charged with living out her spirit in their own lives and are everything they are because of her. Her children, Jason (Jennifer), Adam (Jen), Alice (Billy) and Candice (Aaron) along with 13 grandkids, Madison, Jacob, Nathan, Laurel, Kyle, Calvin, Liza, Virginia, Sophia, Summer, Dylan, Heidi, and Cody (due March 8, 2023) were her whole world, and it showed.

Her roots ran deep and it was a life well-lived.

“Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” Matthew 25:23.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a thoughtful donation to Gunston Hall, Lorton Community Action Center, or First Baptist Church of Springfield in Virginia where Linda and Steve have been members for over 4 decades.

Service Arrangements: Please join family and friends to honor Linda’s life at First Baptist Church of Springfield at 10:30 AM on February 27, 2023 for a funeral service. Without obligation, you are invited to the burial at Quantico National Cemetery in Triangle at 1:30 PM that same day. Whether you travel to Quantico or not, please plan to join us in fellowship and celebration at Gunston Hall Visitor Center in Mason Neck at 3:30 PM later that day.