Wife, Mother, Sister, Friend
Linda was born in New Orleans, LA as the middle of three daughters to Dottie and Louis Gerace. Her family moved to Houston, TX when she was seven years old. A true extrovert, Linda was outgoing and energetic, participating in gymnastics, dance, and student government. It was at a dance class where she first met the love of her life, Walter, who came to see his sisters in that same class. The two reconnected in high school at a party and began dating. After graduating from St. Pius X, Linda went to Sacred Heart Dominican college to get her bachelor’s in nursing while Walter went to the Air Force Academy. They graduated and were married in 1967.
Quickly adapting to military life, Linda used her organizational skills to make the frequent moves across the US and to Belgium run smoothly. Linda put her creativity into ‘do it yourself’ projects around the house as well as elaborate Halloween costumes and birthday cakes. Her love and support made the moves easy for her daughters Monica and Jessica, as home was always just where they were living. Linda worked as a nurse in OB/Gyn until Jessica was born, then channeled her energy and diplomacy into volunteering with the Red Cross, interacting with the Officer’s Wives club, teaching TRIM aerobics, and volunteering at her girls’ schools.
The family first moved to Colorado Springs in 1979 and joined Holy Apostles Parish. After an assignment in Boston in 1986, they returned to Colorado Springs in 1991 and rejoined the Holy Apostles community. Linda became the office manager for the church, where she worked for 14 years before retiring in 2006.
Throughout their lives, Linda made sure that her daughters experienced many fun family trips to places across the US and the world. Even after Walter passed in 2007, Linda and her girls toured the west coast, England, France, Italy, and Portugal. Recently, they travelled back to Florence (Linda’s favorite city in Italy) and to the little town of Vallelunga in the ‘home country’ of Sicily to see where her grandparents were born.
Linda’s outgoing nature made her a friend to all, and she truly cared for her friends and family. She spoke to everyone, learning about their lives and prayed for anyone she encountered having a difficult time. It was her belief that we needed to help others, and her generosity extended to many charities.
Linda was very artistic, water coloring and writing stories off and on throughout her life. When she retired, she refocused on the things that brought her joy. She joined a painting group, a book club, and more recently found a fun, if challenging, online Italian class. Linda filled her days enjoying time with the family and friends she gathered into her heart. She may have been retired, but she was never standing still!
Linda is survived by her two beloved daughters, Monica and Jessica, her cherished sisters Darleen and Angela, their spouses Bill and Raymond, brothers-in-law John Visinsky, Bill Visinsky, Bill Bracken, and Kevin Chessher, sisters-in-law Daydee Visinsky, Janice Visinsky, Susan Bracken, and Jean Chessher, nieces, nephews, their spouses and children and so many dear friends. Linda joins her loving husband Walter and her parents in Heaven.
Services will be held on Friday, April 4, 2025, at Holy Apostles Catholic Church, 4925 N. Carefree Circle. There will be a rosary at 10:15 am and mass at 11:00 am followed by lunch at the church. The burial services will be at the Air Force Academy Cemetery at 2:00 pm.
Linda wanted everyone to celebrate with her, so please wear bright colors instead of black. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to some of Linda’s favorite charities which include the United Service Organizations (USO), the Wounded Warrior Project, the Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity, St. Pius X High School (in Houston, TX), and the Dominican Sisters.