Linda Jean Talarico Leonard

Linda Jean Talarico Leonard 1952-2008 NORTH ADAMS Linda Jean Leonard, of Oak Ridge, Tenn., passed peacefully at home on Saturday afternoon, August 16, 2008, surrounded by her loving family. Born Aug. 6, 1952 in North Adams to Eugene P. and Catherine V. Martinelli Talarico, she grew up in Williamstown, and was a 1970 graduate of Mount Greylock Regional High School. She earned bachelor's degrees, with high honors, in Physical Science and Psychology, and a master's degree in Physics, all from the University of Utah. She earned a GIS certificate from Roane State Community College, where she received the Outstanding Geology Award for 2005-06. A resident of Oak Ridge for the past 19 years, she worked at Oak Ridge National Laboratories, and was an instructor in computer sciences at Roane State Community College before becoming the Geographic Information Systems specialist for Anderson County. Linda served on the board of the Tennessee Mountain Writers, and was on the planning committee for the state conference for childcare and education. She married her beloved and devoted husband, Danny, on July 14, 2001, in North Adams. Linda was a source of inspiration and an example of courage for all who knew her. She loved music and dance, and through them she expressed her deep faith and her love for life. She was member of the Park West Church of God in Knoxville, where she served on the Worship Dance team. She had a brilliant mind and a humble, compassionate spirit. She was a lifelong learner, curious, open-minded, and accepting of all with warmth and generosity. Linda made a difference. Linda was preceded in death by her father, Eugene P. Talarico, and her brother-in-law Timothy "Tim" Leonard. She leaves her husband Daniel "Danny" Leonard; her daughter by marriage , Rachel McKee and her husband, Steven, of Sweetwater, Tenn.; her mother, Catherine V. Talarico, of North Adams; a sister, Cathy L. Talarico and her husband, Peter Boudreau, of North Adams; a sister, Melissa Talarico of Unionville, Conn.; a brother, Peter Talarico and his partner, Karen McCartan, of Simsbury, Conn.; her father-in-law, C. B. Leonard, of Loudon, Tenn.; her mother-in-law, Mary Hull, of Madisonville, Tenn.; a sister-in-law, Susie Ann Worley and her husband, Andy, of Madisonville, Tenn.; two grandchildren, Damien and Karley; and many special family members and friends. FUNERAL NOTICE: The funeral will be Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008 at 8 p.m. in the chapel of Martin Oak Ridge Funeral Home. Interment will be Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008 at 10 a.m. at Christianburg Cemetery in Sweetwater, Tenn. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family request donations to be made in memory of Linda Leonard to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, 5005 L.B.J. Fwy., Suite 250, Dallas, TX 75244. Online messages may be sent to www.martinoakridgefuneralhome.com MARTIN OAK RIDGE FUNERAL HOME is in charge of arrangements