Linda Hugh Ford lost her long battle with Alzheimer's and died at home with her longtime companion by her side on December 23, 2023. Linda will be remembered as a gentle, loving, generous woman who worked extremely hard to provide assistance to others. Linda was known for her commitment for fairness, justice, generosity, and straight talk.

Linda began her life journey, born April 14, 1947 in Pinellas county, Florida. She lived in Florida and graduated from the University of South Florida with a specialty in Medical Technology. She was employed in the clinical laboratory of Tampa General. Linda spent much of her free time at the beach and sailing.

In her twenties, Linda migrated to Maryland working at Fallston General Hospital and later attending Johns Hopkins for a degree in Cytotechnology. Linda lived and worked in Maryland until retirement when she and her partner ventured to the cold but beautiful Vermont to join family and enjoy their company. Linda enjoyed the shared experiences of many courses and interesting students at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Dartmouth.

Linda loved all creatures from the smallest ladybug to the largest of animals. She spoke often of her pony and how she would retrieve him many times after he opened the gate and ventured to a nearby lakeside restaurant. Linda had fond memories of her family, especially summers in North Carolina. She had a deep appreciation of nature, wildlife, and the sea.

For her partner, special feelings of Linda are epitomized by KD Lang song in tribute to Tony Bennet, "Because of You."

"(Linda)was in my life and because of her I found a song in my heart, I saw the sun & moon shine and she made my life worthwhile." Linda worked very hard to provide for her partner's son's education. Linda passionately worked to try and repair life's hardships and dilemmas of those around her and was so sensitive and loving she even carefully relocated spiders outdoors.

A special 'Thank You' to the caring members of Bayada Hospice especially Pam, Tina, DJ, Bob, Jill, Janet, and Dr. Lazaar, who helped provide caring comfort both to Linda and her partner. Special thanks for Lela who came over every night to provide additional care assistance.
Linda's wish was for us to love each other a little more, care for our planet, to love and respect all its wonder, beauty and specially honor all creatures large and small.

If you wish to honor Linda's memory, please support or endorse any organization whose mission it is to protect the environment or animals, especially those from the sea and wolves. She would also love to be remembered by feeding the birds and of course providing peanuts for the squirrels. Linda loved sweets, and would love you to share homemade cookies, caramels, or tiramisu as you remember what a lovely woman she was and her beautiful soul.

Linda was predeceased by her parents, Hugh and Lottie Octavia Ford and two sisters, Nancy Veghte and Elizabeth Smith, and her niece, Liz Smith. Linda is survived by her partner of 44 years, Renate Jaacks and family: son David, his wife Lela and their children Falcon, Thatcher, and Carson. She is survived by her loving eight nieces and nephews, Charlotte, Melinda, Sandra, Joe Smith, and Melissa, David, John, Richard Veghte, and her loving cousin, Rebecca Porter and their families.

Linda will be interred in Florida with her parents and sister. A tribute to her life is in the plans for early summer in Clearwater, Florida.

Knight Funeral Home in Windsor, VT has been honored to assist with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed in an online guestbook found at www.knightfuneralhomes.com