I was given the gift of life. The time has come for it to be returned. This has been difficult for me to do. After surviving breast cancer and having two hips recently replaced, I feel as though I have more things to accomplish. More places to travel to. More people to introduce to each other. More families and children to help. I have been a lucky woman. Lucky to be a part of a large, extended and loving family. Lucky to have kind, caring and compassionate children and grandchildren. I am blessed to be part of a large cohort of friends and colleagues who are loyal, supportive and enduring. I could not have accomplished anything without YOU in my life. For this I am grateful. Today is a beautiful day. I am sad to be leaving but happy to have been here. Some final thoughts:
Women, be STRONG.
For those that want to dance on my grave, be prepared: Your feet will get wet.
Teeny tiny fires do result in change; it all depends on proper placement.
—Linda
Linda Cummings Deliduka, a native of Burlington, Vt., died peacefully at home on March 10, 2021, from uterine cancer. She was born on August 21, 1942, at the Mary Fletcher Hospital, the first child of M. Baxter Cummings Jr. and Rae Sheehan Cummings. Linda attended Taft School, followed by Edmonds Junior and Senior High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Vermont in 1964. “Mrs. D” was a public school teacher her entire career and a lifelong advocate of children, educators, families, and the New North End community.
By Linda’s request, there will not be a service or funeral. A public celebration of her life will be held when it can be done safely in-person in the spring/summer of 2022 in Burlington. As a lasting remembrance of Linda’s dedication to Vermont families, please consider a tax-deductible charitable donation to the “Linda Deliduka TTF Fund” c/o Vermont Kin As Parents (VKAP) at 1205 North Ave., Box #13, Burlington, VT 05408.
Her complete obituary is available at gregorycremation.com.
Related Stories
This article appears in Mar 24-30, 2021.
This letter from Linda in her words feels like a classy way for our dear friend to advance in her next initiative – raising heck somewhere. Linda was such a dear friend to me and the cohort of friends she spoke of. Yes there may be a few who would think dancing upon her grave would be good – while Linda was passionately advocating her values,
She was a force to be reckoned with – the teeny tiny fires (aka TTF) we worked together on mostly went according to plan and resulted in positive change in the community she loved – She might be surprised how that now leaves even her most hardened would-be grave stompers missing her energy. Her children knew her differently and only in the final days did I come to understand why Linda always spoke so proudly of each of them.
For some 25+ years Linda was a friend with endless energy to plant seeds of change, water them a bit then mentor others who would see the value in the ideas. Her friend circles were also amazingly local and global at the same time. Her Burlington local families knowledge seemed to encompass everyone’s history – And her travel and connections across the globe were equally amazing. Working with her almost daily in the last decade or so means that the loss of that friend is deeply missed because we hardly had a chance to prepare –
Days before her passing, in our last “business” meeting as we scrolled through the unfinished projects and initiatives, she still all business doling out assignments. The list is long and I don’t know when my assignments from her will be complete so I can grieve or better yet celebrate her life.
My daughter considered Linda a grandmother. Elise hand made a very special card. She gave it to me write in and give Linda to express my gratitude in all the share experiences – I gave it to Linda with nothing written in it
With a slight tear in her eye, we hugged and she understood there simply are no words to describe what it is to have such a good friend. May those who read this and not know Linda I hope you too will have such a mentor, friend and strategic partner to effect positive change in the lives of children, family and elders – as she did. – Your honerary member of the Strong Women’s Club