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Malinda TEEL Obituary
Family-Placed Death Notice
TEEL, Malinda P. MALINDA P. TEEL October 23, 1942 – April 16, 2012 Malinda P. Teel died on April 16, in the Grant Park home she helped renovate and where she lived for 34 years, following a proactive 7-year fight against ovarian cancer. She was a graduate of UGA's School of Social Work and Thiel College and retired from her third career as a therapist and social worker in 2010. Previously, she had been a skilled writer and editor and for several years ran a small moving company in New York City known as Huckleberry Truck. She was the editor of a collection of true stories, Fortitude, published in 2000. An enthusiastic Francophile, she pursued study of the French language throughout her life, including a year at the Sorbonne in Paris. Other interests included vegetable gardening and all aspects of food-cooking, nutrition, restaurants, etc. After being diagnosed with ovarian cancer, Malinda was active as an advocate in the ovarian cancer community, and in 2010 was recognized by the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance for her support of its mission. Malinda was born in Charlottesville, Virginia, and is survived by her dear husband, Thomas F. McGowan, beloved son, Samuel F. McGowan and his fiancé Jordan Dieck and her brothers Martin, Steve and Parker Teel and their families. Everyone loved Malinda. She blessed us all with her amazing fortitude, her joy for life and her optimism for the future. A celebration of her life will be held at a later time. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Ovarian Cancer Institute at Georgia Tech, http://ovariancancerinstitute.org/contributions.html. Goolsby Mortuary (404)588-0128.
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Memories and Condolences
for Malinda TEEL
Dawn Aura
April 11, 2019
I would like to say that I loved her. I'd like to say that she showed me her love and unflinching support. I always knew she was in my corner. I miss her, noble, courageous, funny human being.
April Adamson Holthaus
April 17, 2013
Remember working on McLean newspaper with Malinda senior year. Her bio indicates a life well lived. May her family find peace with good memories as time passes.
December 10, 2012
Anyone who knew Malinda at Thiel College
must feel as melancholy as I do. On a
warm, cloudless spring day in 1962 I had a joyous encounter with Malinda
that was unexpected. I was aware of her, but I had never talked to her. On that day she came
bounding over to me and began talking
as if we had known each other a long time. I never saw her again, but that
brief five or ten minutes was a highlight of my years at Thiel; one that I have recalled many times.
Ron Huch, Thiel 62
Susan Sullivan
April 29, 2012
God bless you and your family during this terribly difficult transition. Never fear, you will see her again in all the glory of the risen Christ.
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TFX
April 28, 2012
Malinda Teel valued relationships. They were her currency, and in that, she was rich and well to do.
Jim Howard
April 24, 2012
Dear Tom,
Malinda has brightened the lives of so many of us. In the confusion that was high school, her courage and humor and stubborn integrity were an example to the rest of us. Her example has continued, and become even more luminous over the years. It is an honor to have been able to call her my friend. May her memory be a blessing to you and Sam, as it is to us all.
Theo Veenkamp
April 24, 2012
Not long ago I received a letter from Malinda sending back the letters that I wrote to her while she was living in Paris. That was a very pleasant surprise and the good memories that we shared at McLean High 1959/60 came back. Malinda wrote me about her life and present situation and it now turns out that this was the way in which we said goodbye to each other after so many years. I am grateful that she could be one of my friends in McLean and I wish those who miss her strength.
Chuck Calmbacher
April 23, 2012
My sincerest sympathy and condolences. Tom, Sam, and Malinda will remain in my prayers.
Nicola Ayoub
April 23, 2012
Dearest Tom Malinda is in our minds hearts & souls.She will be with us as long as we live.This is how I feel towards my love ones & she is one of them.Love,Nicola H.Ayoub
Joan Miller
April 23, 2012
Thanks Tom for sharing your beautiful wife with us over all these years. She shared her joy with us each time we got together, even during the past 7 years of her struggle. She was so proud of Sam; and so thrilled to welcome Jordan into your family. Her spirit will be at the wedding.
April 23, 2012
Tom,
My condolences to you and Sam and all who will miss Malinda. You were so blessed to have such a beautiful and courageous soulmate. Be well. Be healed.
McKeever
Jayne Midura
April 23, 2012
Tom and Sam: We were so sorry to learn of Malinda's passing. What a wonderful wife, mother, friend, therapist, cancer advocate, and human being. She will be missed by the many, many lives she touched. We are thinking of and praying for both of you during this very difficult time. Jayne Midura and Jim Formby
Christopher Allan
April 20, 2012
I was saddened to read the obituary of Malinda Teel in the AJC.
She was an active member of our French book club, Désir de Lire, and she was a classmate of mine at the Alliance Française
She wrote to me last month and said she would not be able to order books for next year due to her "unpredictable state of health."
Despite this, she always seemed happy
and cheerful.
We will miss her.
Dawn Aura
April 19, 2012
What a fine person was made the day they made Malinda Teel. I was honored to have known her all these years- she shared her love so generously that it left an indelible mark of good will upon anyone who came in contact with her. And to Tom and Sam and Jordan, a heap of love.
April 19, 2012
You are home, Malinda,
And your smiling face
Though we won't see
Lives on forever
In our memory.
A gracious friend to all,
Loving wife to Tom,
Proud mother of Sam
It's been wonderful to know you.
Though you won't be
With us each day,
We feel the love
You left along the way.
You will be missed,
But this is not goodbye.
Throwing kisses in the air
To you, our new Angel,
Some to keep
And some to share
Until in heaven
We meet you there.
Mary Anna Borgia
4/16/12
Jacki van Doren Holland
April 19, 2012
May peace and no pain bless you and yours.
April 19, 2012
McLean Classmate April Adamson Holthaus - How fortunate the world has been to have a person like Malinda to champion so many good causes and be a leader and encourager. My sincere sympathy to her family.
Brooks & Ann Preacher
April 19, 2012
Malinda was a fun person to be around, I know
she will be greatly missed. Tom and Sam
our prayers are with you in your grief.
MHS'60
April 19, 2012
My deepest condolences to Melinda's family. The first thing I remember about her is her smile. She was a joy to be around during our high school days. Sarah Martin Whitmore McLean classmate
April 19, 2012
My sincere sympathy to Melindas family. The memories will always be alive in your hearts. What a special person.
Fay Eakin Brumback
McLean HS classmate
T J & Marjorie Elliott
April 18, 2012
We will remember your great spirit, your fine intelligence, your grace and beauty. And we will recall your extraordinary toughness in the face of your illness. Thank you for those unintentional lessons, Malinda. Rest in Peace.
April 18, 2012
May you find peace in the wonderful memories you have of Melinda.
Susan Miller Hall
McLean classmate
Faith Wascovich
April 18, 2012
Sincere sympathy to Tom and Sam, and for all of us, in the loss of such a beautiful woman. Malinda's bright mind, curiosity, sharp wit, infectious lauagh will be with me always. Her deep ability to be present and engaged enriched my life immensely.
Annamarie DeCarlo
April 18, 2012
To Malinda's Family -- I know I speak for many in the ovarian cancer survivor community when I say we deeply mourn the loss of our sister. Not only was she an amazing resource for all of us, she was so generous in sharing her experiences, just in case someone would benefit from them. I roomed with Malinda at the 2010 ovarian cancer national conference, at which she spoke eloquently to the attendees about her experiences with clinical trials. Earlier that year, when she said she was going to her 50th high school reunion, I teased her about not being quite honest with us... that there was no way she had been out of high school 50 years! What a beautiful woman, with such wonderful spirit. She will live on in all of us. My heartfelt condolences to you.
Nancy Robinson
April 18, 2012
My deepest condolences to Malinda's family. I have fond memories of Malinda from high school days. A very inspiring woman.
Nancy Durham Robinson, Vermont
April 18, 2012
i'm so mad at myself that i didn't squeeze in a visit.
malinda and i go back to nyc days and doing the crossword puzzle in french.
she was a wonderful person and my thoughts are with you.
terry martin
Marian Birch
April 18, 2012
Malinda was my roommate almost 40 years ago, in the days of Huckleberry Truck, and we have always stayed in touch. Her huge grin, her sharp wit(s), and yes, her fortitude are unforgettable. Love and sympathy to Tom, Sam, and extended family
Judy Shuster
April 18, 2012
Tom and Sam - I was devastated to hear this news. Somehow, the hope was that Malinda would win this valiantly fought battle. My sincere condolences to you both, and to the rest of her family at a very trying time.
Malinda's smile captured our hearts. I am so grateful to have called her my dear friend. Love and blessings to you and Sam, Tom.
Shalini Dawson
April 18, 2012
Sharon Burford
April 18, 2012
Malinda was a mentor, leader, and integral part of that group at Fayette Counseling Center, one of my most special gifts in my career--and life. She will be missed among those of us who still periodically gather to laugh and remember that time and how it has shaped each of us.
I wish you peace and rest on your journey, Malinda. You did good.
Maryann McLendon
April 18, 2012
Dearest Tom and Sam,we pray that God
will give you comfort and blessings during this sad and difficult time. We will always cherish our times together. What a sweet kind, and caring 1st. cousin Malinda was. She will always remain in my heart and thoughts. The world has lost a precious person who left the world a better place for having lived. Rest in peace my dearest cousin and may all the glorious sights in heaven be yours now.Cousin Maryann and Lock Keller, Texas.
Charles Psychos
April 18, 2012
I will remember dear Malinda for her intelligence, her talent, her laughter, her kindness, and her loyalty as a friend for over 50 years. I remember the day we met in the bookstore line at Thiel College when she told me she was from "a little town outside Washington , DC, called McLean, Virginia". That little town has since been swallowed by urban growth. As we left the bookstore, we were approached by an elegant white-haired lady who called out "Linny, dahlin", and her mother became forever the image in my mind of "southern belle". Malinda and I shared the great adventure of our junior year in Paris, traveling together on the S.S. Flandre on one of its last Atlantic crossings. I remember our literal leap onto the soil of France at Le Havre, exclaiming "Nous sommes en France!" My dear friend will be missed, but never forgotten.
Kimberly Emory
April 18, 2012
My heart felt condolences to Malinda's family and friends. Malinda fought this beast with strength, courage, and determination. I'll never forget her showing me the ropes on Advocacy Day during my first OCNA conference and how she let me tag along to meet Congressman Lewis. Her tenacity and graciousness will never be forgotten!
Diane Paul
April 18, 2012
Malinda was a special lady. Those of us in the ovarian community will miss her greatly and we share in her family's sadness.
Diane
Francie Peets
April 17, 2012
Malinda was like a sister to me. Her Fortitude book inspired me to hang on in difficult times. Her thoughtful gifts at Christmas are still treasured. Most of all I found her gracious Southern manner to be delightful. Malinda's sense of humor, genteel style of conversation, and caring attitude will all be missed!
April 17, 2012
Peace and blessings.
You were a special lady Malinda. You will be missed. Jan from the
ACOR list.
April 17, 2012
My delightful friend of 42 years will be missed by me and my family. My condolences to you Tom and Sam, I know she will be in yours and my heart always.
Ernestine Selby (San Diego, CA)
Jerri Bonner
April 17, 2012
Tom and Sam, I am so sorry to hear this news. Malinda was a dear and so warm and lively, I was stunned. I have so enjoyed our breakfast group for the last 25 or so years. I have so many wonderful and fun memories of our time together.
John Liles
April 17, 2012
My condolences go out to Tom and Sam for your loss. Malinda was a sweet person and we'll all miss her.
Mary Bulpitt
April 17, 2012
Tom and Sam, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I hold so many fond memories of Malinda. Her graciousness and kindness will live on in your Memories of her. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Take Care.
Melvin and Pamelia Stephenson
April 17, 2012
Dear Tom,
Please accept our deepest sympathy and condolences. We are so very sorry for your loss. Malinda was a beautiful person. I am so proud to have known her.
Love,
Barney Spratt
April 17, 2012
My deepest sympathy.
Lynne and Dennis Coughlin
April 17, 2012
Dear McGowan and Teel Families,
Please accept our heartfelt condolences and sorrow at your great loss. We loved Malinda and will miss her. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love,
Goolsby Mortuary
April 17, 2012
With Heart-felt Sympathy.
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