Linda Marie Harris, 61, of Largo, Florida, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, October 24th. She was born in Queens, New York to Ludwig and Marilyn (London) Heukeroth and moved to Pinellas County in 2004.
Linda served in the Air Force as a medical material specialist from 1977 to 1979 at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana. After serving, she met her husband, Rick and they had two children while residing in Billings, Montana. She also obtained her bachelor’s degree in Education with a concentration in Special Education and Elementary Education at Montana State University- Billings. She taught for many years and had a true heart for helping those in need.
Linda was a woman of many hobbies and interests. She was an avid artist. She loved painting, watercolor, photography, quilting, writing and all sorts of arts and crafts projects. She loved to express her creativity in any way she could. Linda was also very passionate about nature and wildlife. She loved to learn about plants, birds, and insects, and loved all of God’s creatures. She loved to be outdoors observing the world that God created. She enjoyed camping, hiking, kayaking, and going for long drives. She was known for adopting and nursing animals in need, and volunteering at animal rescues. Linda also loved to collect and sell antiques and knick-knacks. Above all of these things, she was very passionate about her faith and had a very strong relationship with the Lord. This is what truly defined her as a person. She was always very active within the church, led and attended many bible studies, and had a heart for ministering to anyone who came into her life. Linda also volunteered for many years as an ESL teacher. She contributed over the years to many charities and went on many missions trips domestically and abroad.
Everybody who knew Linda personally can attest to the comfort and joy she always provided to everyone around her. She had a contagious smile that could light up a room. She loved spending time with her family and many friends. She loved singing and dancing and laughing and telling stories. She will be greatly missed by many.
Linda is preceded in death by her mother, Marilyn Ferraro. She is survived by her husband, Rick Harris; daughter Jessica Harris and grandchildren Caiden and Kinslee; son Cory Harris, daughter-in-law Keeley Harris and granddaughter Camryn; father Ludwig Heukeroth; sister Donna Hedger, brother-in-law John Hedger and her three nephews Johnny, Joey and Stephen; And many other close family members, as well as friends whom she loved as family.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, November 1st in the chapel of First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks at 10:00 a.m. She will be laid to rest at Bay Pines National Cemetery in St. Petersburg, FL at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, if you would like to donate to Linda’s memory through a monetary gift, her family asks that you please consider the following charitable organizations:
Samaritan’s Purse
Samaritan’s Purse goes to the aid of the world’s poor, sick, and suffering. It focuses on the areas in the world that are most desperate.
Linda’s memorial donation page for Samaritan’s Purse can be found at: http://sampur.se/2igwh5h
Red Bird Mission
Red Bird Mission and clinic, located in the Appalachian Mountains, strives to meet needs through ministry in five areas: Education, Health & Wellness, Community Outreach, Economic Opportunity, and Community Housing Improvement.
Donations can be made online by going to www.rbmission.org and clicking on Donate. When submitting, please specify for the Linda Harris Memorial.
Donations can also be mailed to the organization’s address at:
Red Bird Mission, Inc.
70 Queendale Center
Beverly, KY. 40913-9607
When mailing, please specify for the Linda Harris Memorial.
May you rest in peace with our lord. We will meet again. Love you.
I love you Linda! You gave a special gift to everyone you met. These gifts will remain with these people, and be passed on to a multitude. Your light will continue to light the lives of those you touched. You will be missed, but great will be our reunion in Heaven!!!
I loved Linda very much and can’t believe she is gone. She has been a good friend for more than thirty 30 years and my heart is grieved. I will miss her and am thankful for her love of the Lord. May she be dancing in His Presence for all eternity and overflowing with His Joy and Peace. I love you, Linda!
May perpetual light shine upon you. May you rest in peace. My condolences to Linda’s family. She was such a beautiful person. I enjoyed her company and only wish I had gotten to know her better.
Linda was such a close and dear friend, not only to me, but to my daughters as well. We all loved her and will miss her so very much. I still can’t believe she’s gone. Rest In Peace, my sweet friend.
I will miss you my dear friend.May you Rest In Peace.Thankyou for being in my life.You will always be I Be in my life.
May you rest in peace. it’s sad to hear that you’re gone. you were the best teacher ever. and I will miss you dearly.
Linda was like a ray of sunshine. She gave so much to all she met. Words can not suffice to tell of the depth of our sorrow. But the loss on this earth is truly the Lord’s gain and we know that he is victorious over the pain and death in this life. We will carry on her love in our family so that she is never far from our hearts until we meet again.
I don’t know what to say. I feel words will not suffice to comfort with such deep sorrow. I have always thought of Linda as family and her family as my family. Rick and family, I wished I had words that could comfort. Please know I’m praying for strength and peace that surpasses understanding. And to Linda, I love you so dearly… Words cannot express what you have meant in my life. I’ve missed you so much and the annual visits were never long enough. I’ll have to wait much longer now to see you again but I know you are dancing in Glory before our King. Thank you for loving me and sharing the years of wisdom you imparted on me.
Linda was truly the salt of the earth. She made life flavorful. Everyone who met Linda tasted of her genuine kindness and authentic faith. Linda inspired me with her strength & steadfastness in God. Like a brave soldier, she fought the good fight, gave it her all and ran the HARDEST race these last 12 months to the very end the best way she could.
We all have big shoes to fill. Let’s all take up the baton she left, and carry on the life of walking intimately with God and inspiring people like Linda did.
For Linda’s family. I cannot believe she is gone. I taught ESL for two years. She was sweet, charming, confidant, a blessing in so many ways. Heart felt blessings to you all.
Sheri Radice
What a wonderful example of living a life God rewards, Linda is to us all. She will have many crowns to cast at the feet of our Lord and Savior. I am so thankful for the privilege of getting to know her these last five years. Every minute together was a gift. The plants she gave me are thriving beautifully and serve as a reminder of the love and kindness that flowed effortlessly from Linda to all she met. My heartfelt sympathy and prayers for Gods comfort to all her beautiful family.