After attending hundreds of meetings in her lifetime, Linda Armstrong has gone to the biggest meeting of them all. Linda has gone to meet with the Lord.
Linda Patricia Armstrong (nee Govier), 69, of Sleeman Ont., passed away Friday, July 15, 2016 at the Rainy River Health Centre in Rainy River, Ont.
Linda was born April 9, 1947 in Clinton, Ont. to the late William and Margaret Govier, and grew up on a family farm near Staffa, Ont. before moving to Rainy River District at the age of 14.
She later returned to Toronto to take her training as a Registered Nursing Assistant before starting her nursing career in Rainy River.
Linda was united in marriage to Stanley Armstrong on Feb. 6, 1971. They spent 45 years together farming in Worthington Township and worked off the farm, as well.
Linda first worked at the Rainy River Red Cross Hospital before moving to the clinic in 1976. It has been said that she excelled at being able to get blood samples from challenging patients.
During her career, she watched as patients came into the clinic as kids, grow into adults, and have children of their own.
She retired from the clinic in 2013 and then worked part-time for a while because she missed her co-workers so much.
Agriculture also was a big part of her life both on and off the farm. Promotion of the local agricultural industry was one of her lifelong goals.
Linda was a member of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture for many years and presently was the Rainy River District Member Services Rep. She also managed the Farm Progress Building at the Rainy River District fair for more than 20 years and also worked at the Stratton cattle auction for a number of years.
Receiving the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her commitment to, and promotion of, the agricultural industry in 2012 was just the latest of her many volunteer awards.
Outside of nursing and farming, Linda was active in local politics as she served on council for more than 25 years in the Township of Dawson and presently in her first term as reeve.
She also was a member of the Rainy River Library board, Rainy River United Church Council, the District Social Services Board, plus many other boards and committees.
Curling was Linda’s winter sport, which was replaced by ice-fishing in later years after her knees gave out. Stan and Linda were so committed to ice-fishing that they had to purchase a separate four-wheel pickup truck which they only used for this purpose.
During the last two years, she and Stan spent many hours at Tamarack House in Thunder Bay, where she never hesitated to share her experiences and offer support to fellow residents.
She will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Stan, and much-loved dog, Oscar; brothers, Tom (Gail) of Emo, Ont. and Herb (Donna) of Sleeman, Ont.; brother-in-law, Gordon (Jeanette) of Rainy River, Ont.; and sisters-in-law, Phyllis (Don) of Warroad, Mn. and Darlene Armstrong of Rainy River, Ont.
Auntie also will be sadly missed by her numerous nieces and nephews.
Linda was predeceased by her parents, Margaret and William Govier; in-laws, Holgar and Fannie Armstrong; brothers-in-law, Ron Armstrong and Norman Armstrong; and sister-in-law, Verna Barsy.
Family and friends were received Tuesday, July 19, 2016 from 7-9 p.m. at the Rainy River Evangelical Covenant Church in Rainy River.
Funeral services were held there Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at 11 a.m.
Rev. Frances Flook officiated, with internment to take place in Blue Township Cemetery.
Linda’s pallbearers were Corrie Govier, Russell Govier, Calvin Armstrong, Tom Armstrong, Jim Armstrong, and John Bouchard.
The honourary pallbearers were Denise Johnson, Veronica Nordberg, Dianna Gamsby, Norina Sopotiuck, Gwen Halverson, and Helen Kellner.
If desired, in memoriam donations may be made to Tamarack House c/o Northridge Funeral Home, P.O. Box 89, Emo, Ont., P0W1E0.
Online condolences may be offered at www.northridgefuneralhome.com
LINDA PATRICIA ARMSTRONG
