Linda Cornog

"Several months ago, I was living an active, vibrant life. All of a sudden, my life changed drastically. Upon reflection, I've lived the best life I could.

One of my greatest passions is flowers. I feel their intoxicating beauty, whether it's tending to my gardens, designing arrangements for parties, or simply creating a weekly centerpiece for myself. I have also enjoyed designing teacup arrangements for almost 10 years with the Flower Angels organization. One of my happy places is Longwood Gardens in PA, a national treasure, where I have many fond memories of being immersed in plants and flowers.

Another happy place of mine is Avalon, and Stone Harbor, a seven mile barrier island in New Jersey. I summered there most of my life. The ocean beaches are just spectacular for walking or biking for miles.

Also part of my best life is my love of culture, including concerts, any music venues, numerous Broadway shows, museums and art in any form. These were all enjoyed locally and while traveling afar.

A large part of my life was teaching for 34 years in the Dennis-Yarmouth Regional system at Lawrence MacArthur Elementary School. I like to think that I made a positive difference in many childrens and families' lives.

After teaching, I was fortunate in my retirement years, to travel to many destinations, including Italy, France, the Netherlands, Kuai, Maui, Greece, Australia and New Zealand, to name a few. I loved all of my trips and new adventures.

I have had a life-long love of exercise, starting with volleyball, and a summer of master rowing instruction. I ran in many road races, including 10 Falmouth Road Races, and a couple of Bonnie Bell races in Boston, while I conquered Heartbreak Hill. Skiing was also a big part of my life, in the Northeast, out West and abroad. Finally, I developed a love for golf.

I've lived an adventurous, spontaneous life of rich experiences. I was able to attend the Obama inauguration in 2008, and the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. Visits to multiple U.S. Open tennis and golf tournaments, riding a camel in the Outback at dawn, and snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, were other cherished memories.

In my 70 plus years on this Earth, I feel blessed to have accomplished all that I did. I have maintained long term friendships; my friends supported me always and shared in my adventures, and have sustained me through my journey.

I'd like to thank my family of friends on the Cape and beyond, and my own family on the West Coast, including my brother, Peter, and my sister-in-law, Amy, along with my two nieces, Phoebe and Charlotte, and my cousins in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Please consider donating to any organizations that help to eradicate and/or cure cancer."