Linda Louise LUCCHESI

LUCCHESI, Linda Louise (Heidrick)
Age 66, died peacefully at her home in Woodland, CA on Friday, May 13, 2011. She had fought lung cancer for three and a half years and was also a breast cancer survivor.

Linda was born in Woodland, CA on September 28, 1944. She enjoyed a country life with her parents, siblings and many friends. Linda graduated from Woodland High School in 1962 and earned an associate's degree in nursing from Sacramento City School of Nursing in 1966. She often spoke about her work as an RN at Sutter Memorial Hospital as a highlight of her life.

She met Fred in December of 1963 and they were married on August 27, 1966. They lived in Sacramento for the majority of their married life and moved back to Woodland in 2006. In their nearly 45 years of marriage, Linda and Fred raised four children, travelled extensively, enjoyed many seasons of King's basketball, spoiled 11 grandchildren, laughed often and built their dream house together.

Linda's most memorable traits were her irreverent sense of humor, a laugh that carried across the room and her love for her family and friends. Linda's greatest pride was in her children and grandchildren. Each had a special place in her heart. She was involved in the Thomas Jefferson Elementary PTA and was a raucous cheerleader at sporting events and other activities in which her children and grandchildren participated. Linda expressed her creativity through many formats including needlework, stained glass and ceramics, and enjoyed hunting down and preserving family history. She was actively engaged in docent and archival work for the Sacramento History Museum and the Heidrick Ag History Center. She served a term as president of the Heidrick Ag History Center until shortly before her death. Linda was a member of the Chapter IX, P.E.O. Sisterhood.

Linda had a dedicated and caring team of physicians that allowed her to maintain a high standard of life in spite of her disease. She often said that Drs. Blair (and his staff), Sokolov, Lee and Robinson were the reason she was able to enjoy so much quality time with her family.

Surviving Linda are her husband Fred (who always made her laugh); her children, Rusty (Denise) Lucchesi, Angela (Tony) Karren, Tony (Traci) Lucchesi and Laura (Rob) Wieking; her grandchildren, Jonah, Liz, Abby, Anthony, Nate, Sarah, Dom, Leah, Rocco, Colin and Luke; her sister Nancy Gnoss; brother Fred Heidrick; and sister Judy Schneider; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Preceding Linda in death are her parents, Fred and Helen Heidrick and her sister Barbara Eoff.

A private graveside service will be held. Her family welcomes you to join them at her Celebration of Life being held at the Heidrick Ag History Center on Friday, May 20 at 3pm. The family requests donations be made to Yolo Hospice, the Heidrick Ag History Center or a charity of the donor's choice.

Linda ended her journey as she had lived - on her own terms and surrounded with love.