Linda Cheedle Obituary (1939 - 2021) - the Fort Collins Coloradoan

Linda Abbott Cheedle

1939 - 2021

Linda Abbott Cheedle

Fort Collins - Linda Ruth Abbott Cheedle passed away on January 5, 2021, aged 81. She was born on April 13, 1939 in Scottsbluff, Nebraska to Lowell and Helen Abbott, and grew up with her sister Sally and brothers James and Michael. As a young child, Linda realized her lifelong passion for art. She won a portrait award at age seventeen and had the winning portrait displayed at the Hallmark Gallery in Kansas City.

Linda Abbott received a Speech Therapy degree from Texas Women's University in 1961, and taught in the Denver school system. Here she met William Cheedle, and they married in 1963. Linda combined motherhood and her painting career while raising a daughter and three sons in Denver, moving to Fort Collins in 1972.

Linda received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, Cum Laude, from Colorado State University in 1993. She continued to work as an artist and as a teacher's aide in the Poudre R-1 school system.

For nearly sixty years, Linda accepted commissions to create many portraits of children, adults and animals. She also painted and drew landscapes and created book illustrations, specializing in pastel, watercolor and colored pencil. Linda cherished her art, her friends, and her family. She was a former member of PEO and the Portrait Society of America. The progression of vascular dementia caused her to move to Brookdale Crossings Memory Care in 2019.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents and siblings. She is survived by her former husband and dear friend William Cheedle of Fort Collins; children Susan (Brian Gleason) of Fort Collins, David Cheedle of Denver, Thomas (Elaine) of Matthews, NC, and Michael (Sarah) of Culver City, CA; her granddaughters Lindsay Gleason, Catherine and Lauren Cheedle, and Gemma Cheedle; and many friends and relatives. We will always remember the good times we had together, especially when she enjoyed spending Christmas 2019 with all her family. She will be laid to rest in Fort Collins, and a celebration of her life is planned for later this year.

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Published in Coloradoan from Jan. 7 to Jan. 13, 2021.

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13 entries

January 26, 2021

January 25, 2021

Since having first met Linda in the summer of 1962, known in camp counseling days as Abbe, there is a trunkload of memories to sort through for this piece. Outstanding among these was Linda's contagious and unique laughter, her artistic rendering of the present moments in both music and art-and what an artist she was - her love for her children, David, Tom, Michael, and Susie being paramount to everything she held dear, combined with her love for animals,
these offer only a glimpse of what I hold dear of Linda. She was truly an um compadre of the highest order, someone with whom i shared many family moments in raising our children together in Fort Collins, someone with whom i could always 'run a thought by', being assured of her unconditional love in friendship. Her composition with co-writer Joan Webster of a "Song Without End" seals her legacy as a Camp Logan force in days of yore. Several lines from that song: ... for we'll meet again, in every lake of blue, in every sunset, every star, we'll live these days anew... for Time and Distance are not chains." Until we meet again- my deepest wishes for David, Tom, Michael, and Susie to be comforted by Linda's spirit living on in their very souls and transporting them to the high art of living a good life they so deserve.
RIP Linda Abbey Cheedle. You remain so loved.
Chris Knoernschild-Korb

Christine Korb

Friend

January 25, 2021

My mom and Linda were old time friends so that is how the Korbs met the Cheedles. I'm so glad we did because it was because of the Cheedles, that the Korbs moved from Janesville, WI to Fort Collins, CO in the summer of 1976, Korb's Caravan West. I cherish the memories of our family camp trips and of summer days and nights spent together and lots of Korb Caroling parties and games indoors and outside. Linda had a very wry sense of humor, at least that's what I remember, she was funny. I feel lucky to have one of her paintings, a pastoral scene of an old ranch and stable. It's lovely and I think of Linda and the Cheedles every day because I see it every day. My husband Christopher also got to meet Linda and some of the Cheedles after we were married, so he knows how important that connection is. I'm very sad at Linda's loss but feel some comfort that she is an angel for all of us now, With love and our deepest condolences for all the Cheedles, Tracy and Christopher

Tracy Korb and Chris Ross

Friend

January 16, 2021

Linda has been a special person in the life of my family--going back too 1968 when I made my first trip to Colorado to meet a woman who had been a Scout Camp counselor with my then wife, Christine. Eight years later, we moved to Fort Collins. We were privileged that our young families grew up together. We especially recall camping vacations in the mountains. Linda's art work is a fixture in my home with portraits of daughters Tracy and Amy prominently displayed and a beautiful still life on the wall of our dining nook. Thank you, Linda, for the love and friendship showered on us and all you connected with. We will miss you. Rest in God's arms. Mark and Pat Korb

Mark Korb

January 11, 2021

We left for Texas together in 1957 and I will always credit Linda for my life as a Texan. May God rest her dear soul and bless her family with a sense of peace. Gay Chastain Gilmore

Gay Chastain Gilmore

January 11, 2021

So sorry to hear of Linda's passing. I remember her well from our family get together's as children in Colorado at the Abbott reunions. Linda was my cousin and in 2010 all the Abbott cousins got together in Estes Park. This picture is from that reunion. We all rented a cabin and really enjoyed our time getting acquainted as adults. What a kind, lovely person. The whole family was so proud of her art talent. I found myself boasting to my friends that I have a cousin who is a very talented artist. My condolences go to her children and Bill her life partner. My you find comfort in the wonderful memories she gave to others and the special times you all shared. Love, Carole Beth

carolebeth shannon

Family

January 11, 2021

So sorry to hear about the loss of Linda. She always graced our class reunions with her artwork.

Judith (Miller) McGregor

January 10, 2021

I have fond memories of the many activities Linda and I participated in together in high school. I cherish one of her paintings that I own. I send my sincere sympathy!

Lois Beyer

January 10, 2021

I'm so sorry to hear of your mother's death. I didn't know her very well but lived across the street from her parents for years. A painting of hers of pine trees in the snow hangs on my living room wall here in Iowa where I now reside. I well remember how gifted she was at painting portraits. My care and concern to you all.

Mary Oba

January 10, 2021

My sympathies to Linda´s family. As a teacher at Riffenburgh Elementary, I have fond memories of Linda and her children. I especially remember David.

Fran Lambert

January 10, 2021

My sincere condolences to Linda's children and Bill. Linda was my cousin, a sweet person, and such an accomplished artist. I loved her family Christmas cards with her young children painted on them. All of the cousins got together in 2010 in Estes Park for a reunion. I have enclosed a picture from that very special reunion. Sending love to her family.
Barbara Secor

Barbara Secor

January 10, 2021

I send my deepest sympathy to Linda´s family. As a former high school classmate, I remember and cherish the many drawings Linda did for our Scottsbluff High School reunions, and also the designs for the t shirts for them! Linda was a beautiful, talented person, who leaves a great legacy!

Joan OShea Eigenberg

January 9, 2021

As a dear friend for over 40 years I will treasure the times we had together. My sympathies to Bill and her children. Marianne Bednarz

Marianne Bednarz

Friend

January 8, 2021

Bill and family,
We send our sympathy on Linda’s passing. We enjoyed working with her on your remodeling projects and speaking with her over the years as you did our accounting. Our thoughts are with you, hoping you feel that Linda is at peace. Rich and Cathy Norman

Rich and Cathy Norman

Friend

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