Linda Christine Maria Draper

Linda Christine Maria Draper of West Lafayette, Indiana, passed away on Thursday, October 16th, 2025, at the age of 67. She was born on November 25th, 1957, in Brooklyn, New York.
After enduring private Catholic schools in New York City for a few years, Linda attended public schools in Washington state and then in Cypress, California. While in Junior High School, she fought to take wood shop, which was required for boys, instead of home economics, which was required for girls, and became the first girl to shatter this "wood ceiling" at her school. After completing a certificate program at Cypress Community College, she had a variety of jobs, most recently as day manager of a Baskin-Robbins. More than anything, though, she devoted herself to her family.
Linda was known for her generosity, compassion, and amiability. She frequently made friends with random people she encountered in her community. Her smile lit up a room, and she touched the lives of many. She also loved music, having an encyclopedic knowledge of old songs from the 50's and 60's.
Linda is preceded in death by six beloved cats and is survived by Paul, her husband of 47 years, by her daughter Caitlin, and by her bonus daughter Bertha Alvarez Manninen. A memorial service and tribute to Linda's life will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, November 10th, with visitation from 2:00 p.m., at the chapel in Soller-Baker Funeral Home, which is in Lafayette at 400 Twyckenham Blvd.
Linda's greatest wish at the time of her passing was for her daughter to live in a community for disabled adults called Oasis, which is currently being developed in Tippecanoe County. Accordingly, in lieu of flowers, donations to Oasis Community, Inc. (www.oasisforlife.org) would be greatly appreciated.