Linda Noreen Baruzzini

Linda Noreen Baruzzini, 77, born Dec. 23, 1947, to the late Merle and Emma Hazel Schooley, passed away Thursday, May 8, 2025, after a prolonged battle with cancer.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 56 years, James Baruzzini; her loving children, Dan Baruzzini and Deidra Baruzzini; and her grandchildren, Simon and Serenity Baruzzini.
Linda was a remarkable woman whose life was defined by compassion, strength and unwavering determination. She dedicated nearly 50 years to animal rescue with many of those years as an active foster home, while volunteering countless hours placing animals into permanent homes.
Linda also spent many years, during an earlier period in her life, riding her horse, Dusty or offering pony rides from her two ponies, Pone-Pone and Kiwi. Linda developed lifelong friendships with the many people she interacted with through their shared love for animals and caregiving toward animals.
Despite being born in southeastern Michigan, Linda's heart always belonged to Franklin, where she spent her childhood summers with her grandparents and later returned as an adult when she purchased and personally refurbished a beloved summer mountain home. That place, full of beauty and memories, was her sanctuary and endless source of both peace and pride. Linda nurtured many relationships in North Carolina and became fully integrated into the fabric of the community. It is therefore only fitting that she will be laid to rest at Ellijay Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, returning home to the place she loved dearly.
A graveside service will be held Thursday, June 5, at 2 p.m. at Ellijay Baptist Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Ellijay Baptist Church Burial Fund.
Online condolences can be made at maconfuneralhome.com. Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.