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Linda Gissen Obituary
Virginia Beach - Linda Mayer Gissen -- loving and compassionate mother, grandmother and friend -- died peacefully on Monday, July 20, 2015 in her home in Virginia Beach. She leaves her beloved children Laura (husband John Porter), Emily Gissen Dreyfus (son Sam), David (wife Rachel Schreiber), her brother Robert Mayer (wife Susan), and sister-in-law Betty Zimmer to cherish her memory. She was predeceased by her husband of 49 years, Ira Gissen, her parents Max and Ruth Mayer and brother Lionel Zimmer.
Born in 1937, Linda studied at the University of Michigan and the University of Cincinnati, graduating with a degree in Sociology and Anthropology. Linda and Ira raised their children in Bergen County, New Jersey, where they lived for 27 years before settling in Virginia in 1983.
For 50 years, Linda created sculptures, religious ritual objects, and jewelry. Her works reside in museum, liturgical, corporate, and municipal collections, including the Chrysler Museum and the White House. In 1987, the Catholic Archdiocese of Richmond commissioned her to create the first Holocaust memorial on the grounds of a US Catholic church. In Virginia Beach, her bright, sun-shaped memorial to the founder of Sunny Day Magazine overlooks the city's Boardwalk.
In addition to her passion for art, Linda loved engaging in discussions of politics and current events, volunteering for a range of community organizations and causes, gardening, and playing bridge with her friends, all of which she enjoyed throughout her life.
She was interred in Beth-El Cemetery, Paramus, New Jersey. A service in celebration of Linda's life will be held Sunday, July 26th at 1:00 pm in Altmeyer Funeral Home, 5792 Greenwich Road, Virginia Beach. Donations in memory of Linda are being accepted by the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art to support their educational programs for children: http://www.virginiamoca.org/make-donation. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.altmeyerfh.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Linda Gissen
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5 Entries
Tina Horowitz
July 29, 2015
You were a brave, beautiful person and I am honored that I was able to get to know you.
July 29, 2015
I grieve with Linda's family. Her loss is huge. Linda was the most creative, determined, gifted, bravest woman I have ever known. The Emek Sholom Holocaust Memorial is graced by the beauty of her inspired, meaningful sculptures - the vibrant and blooming flowers,"representing the indomitable spirit of the Jewish people to embrace life and hope for the future" and the same flowers, wilted and dead, "representing those who perished and the generations that would never be". [Linda's words]
With heartfelt sympathy, Inge Horowitz
July 28, 2015
My sincere condolences to the Gissen family for the loss of your loved one. May prayers strengthen you and memories comfort you, and may our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, who loves us, comfort your hearts and "make you firm". (2 Thessalonians 2:16, 17)
July 26, 2015
So sorry for your loss. She was a strong and special person in so many ways. Sincerely Dave and Barbara Cohen
July 25, 2015
I'm so sorry to hear that Linda has passed. I pray that the words and promise at Isaiah 35:5,6 will give you comfort in the difficult days to come.
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Altmeyer Funeral Homes & Crematory - Southside Chapel - Virginia Beach5033 Rouse Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23462
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Altmeyer Funeral Homes & Crematory - Southside Chapel - Virginia Beach5033 Rouse Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23462
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