Linda Mishkin

I was very fortunate to meet Linda in graduate school at the University of Texas, where she provided unfailing kindness, friendship, and comic relief. My condolences to her family and friends, and especially her students.

I met Linda in my first weeks of college and was impressed by her brilliance and her wit. She was absolutely hilarious! And her love of Classics helped influence me to take Latin (easy for her, not the rest of us!) and Classical Greek Archeology (which was a joy!) My condolences to all who loved Linda and those who knew and appreciated her great mind and sense of humor.

I did not know Linda personally, but I represent Vassar College and will be putting a note in our class notes for classmates who did know her.

Linda, whom I knew as Miss Mishkin for the seven years in which she taught me Latin, had a motto that scrolled across her screen-saver: *nil sine magno labore* ("nothing without great effort"). It took no "great effort" to adore Miss Mishkin. Her quick wit and wry humor (some days in class were like being in an early Woody Allen film); her quirky approach to the oddities and joys of Latin, in class and after school in "Latin Club"; her contagious enthusiasm for the Florida Junior Classical League; and the way she gave kids like me (we were all on the nerdy side) a feeling of acceptance and identity—all of this had a major impact on me in those often lonely, bruising years of teenage angst.

Some of us made a tribute T-shirt one year for Linda, with a number of what we thought of her hilarious obiter dicta printed on the back. She was chagrined, but she took the gift in stride. Two sayings that I remember: "If we're talking about seafood, I prefer it out of the water and cooked," and another that she would say in exasperation whenever we were acting up in class, "Sometimes I question my own validity." It is for me a poignant and difficult memory, to recall this saying, since it so clearly misses the mark: Linda supported, encouraged, and indeed validated us students, and in this grace she was nothing if not herself rich in validity.

On and off over the years, I stayed in touch with her. My college senior thesis took as its epigraph *nil sine magno labore*, with Linda as dedicatee. Before I went on to grad school we met one day in Sarasota because she wanted to deaccession many of her own grad school books to me. I use them to this day. Each time that I enter the classroom to teach, I do so with the hope that something of the spark and humor that she conveyed to us all those years ago comes through still.

A few weeks before her passing, Linda and I exchanged messages, and to the end she was herself: engaged, smart, and oh so funny. Linda was one of a kind, surely. Those of us fortunate enough to know her will treasure her memory. Requiescat in pace.

Linda will be missed! I always looked forward to our times together. She was so proud of her family and of her work. She was a beautiful person inside and out. Rest in peace.

Miss Mishkin’s was one of the most engaging, interesting, caring, and fun teachers I’ve ever had. I took Latin for 5 years at Saint Stephen’s in the mid 90s and throughout my time in her classroom she brought an incredible culture to life, teaching with vibrance, patience, and humor. She helped us not just learn but engage with and find connectivity through our specialty research paths and I have a lifelong appreciation for mythology because of her encouragement. So many bright memories of her leading our Certamen team at all the various local and state Latin forums, Miss Mishkin gave so much outside of the classroom to provide us with these wonderful experiences. I remember her great library in the back of her classroom, her beautiful smile of encouragement usually paired with a head nod, and unparalleled sense of humor as evidenced by our Latin club shirt one year with “Semper ubi sub ubi”. She is a teacher and a person I’ll always appreciate and remember fondly.

Linda was a person I most enjoyed interacting with during my time at Saint Stephen’s.
Her intellect, sense of humor, integrity, and genuine interest in others was second to none, and she will be greatly missed.
Rest in Peace Linda ❤

Linda and I were hired the same year at St. Stephens. What began as simple colleagues became a friendship of 37 years. I have never met another person with such integrity, humility, honesty and yes, humor. Linda's presence with us has been awesome. I have only fond memories of such a good friend. I am missing her greatly

Linda and I were hired the same year at St. Stephens. What began as simple colleagues became a friendship of 37 years. I have never met another person with Linda's integrity, humility, honesty and yes, humor. I can't help but have fond memories of such a good friend. This is such a loss in so many people's lives. I will miss her greatly

Ms. Mishkin was the consummate teacher- passionate about classical studies, able to connect with students, and truly excited to watch us learn and grow. I was blessed to have her as a teacher, Latin team coach, and mentor. May her legacy live in the lives she touched. Rest in peace.

One of my favorite teachers and one who left a definite impression on me. I was in her Latin classes from 7th grade to my senior year of high school and I can't remember a day when she didn't have a smile on her face. She loved all of her students and I consider myself lucky to have been one of them. Rest in peace, Ms. Mishkin.

Linda showed me how to be a teacher. She took the time to help support a brand new teacher, and I am forever grateful for that. I remember spending hours with her working with JCL and Certamen and hanging in her room on the second floor of the church as we planned Latin classes. Her joy and humor always made her room a welcoming environment. Rest in Peace, Linda.

An all-time favorite teacher of mine; I adored her humor and personality and am tremendously grateful to have been her student. She will be missed by so many.

I have so many fond memories over years of Latin with Miss Mishkin at Saint Stephen's during the 1990s. From the State Latin competitions to regular classroom time, she inspired a love of the Latin and was a wonderful teacher. Grateful to have learned under her instruction.

I had the honor and pleasure of visiting with Linda a few weeks before she died. She was a special person maintaning her humor and positive outlook until the end. My son was her student and loved and admired her. I know she will be missed and remembered.

Linda was a huge presence in the lives of both of my children, one of whom was so inspired by her that he went on to major in Latin and ancient Greek. I would frequently hear a recounting of her humor and wisdom on the ride home from school or at the dinner table! Linda, thank you for sharing so generously all those years! You will be greatly missed.

Linda led a St Stephens service project and it was always a pleasure to work with her during these volunteer days. Her leadership sparked a joyful and strong work ethic among the students that I will never forget.

Kind and generous, wise and witty, and ALWAYS FUNNY! Linda had a gift for seeing humor in almost anything and anywhere. To be around her was to learn how to laugh. She was also a dedicated teacher who loved to help both her students and colleagues. And Linda had much to give since her intellect was a sharp as her wit. I was lucky enough to work with her for many years and to have known her for many more before that. Requiescat in pace!

Great lady, teacher, leader and good fellow traveler. You are missed.

Linda was a fine teacher and a supportive colleague. She was well loved in the Latin teacher community. I have missed her since she left St. Stephens. Her death leaves an empty place in our ranks and in my heart.

A dear and special friend who put a smile on my face so many times.