Linda Ann Wahlberg
Linda Ann Wahlberg “slipped the surly bonds of Earth and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings” on February 18, 2022 in Rocky Mount, Virginia. She was predeceased by her parents Richard H. and Edith L. Wahlberg and her brother John Arthur Wahlberg. She is survived by her nephew Matthew Wahlberg, his wife Elaine, and their daughter Sasha, and her niece Stephanie Horn.
She is also survived by many good friends in Rocky Mount and in Corinth, New York where from the age of two she enjoyed summer vacations at Tawiskarou, the camp her parents helped establish in the Adirondacks.
Other survivors include her devoted Madison College sorority sisters Donna Setzer of Winchester, Virginia, Janie Murrell of Suffolk, Virginia, and Becky Pazoureck of Oklahoma, and their beloved professor and mentor Dr. Dorothy Rowe.
Linda’s father was an engineer with General Electric, and prior to her entering the eighth grade the family moved from New York to Roanoke. After graduating from Patrick Henry High School, she earned a B.S. in Home Economics from Madison College in 1967. She began her teaching career in Bedford County where she taught third grade for a year before joining the faculty of Franklin County High School where she taught home economics and childcare classes until her retirement.
Linda was an innovator at Franklin County High School; in the Home Economics Department she designed and implemented the Teens-N-Tots Early Learning Center in which she taught her students about the basics of childcare. It remains a vital part of the curriculum. She sponsored the Future Homemakers of America Club and served as the sponsor for the Franklin County High School Cheerleaders as well as the Franklin County Junior Varsity squad.
She was active in the community as a volunteer judge and mentor with the Franklin County 4-H Program and the West Central District 4-H comprising 17 surrounding counties. One of her favorite volunteer activities was with CASA, the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Franklin County. Linda was a member of the Rocky Mount United Methodist Church where she enjoyed volunteering in programs for children.
Linda served others wherever she went. She was an active member of the Tawiskarou Association and served on its Board of Directors. She hosted an annual cupcake bake off, a favorite event of adults and children alike; she also hosted musical events in the community building. She was a great organizer and saw her projects through to the very last detail. At Jenny Lake she enjoyed entertaining friends on the Wahlberg dock as they stopped by in their kayaks. For her the song of the loons in the evening and early morning were magical moments in the life of the lake.
Linda was artistic and enjoyed creating with crafts throughout her adult life, especially in recent years when she made elaborate wreaths, which she often gifted to her friends. Most recently she had begun to explore the pleasures of painting.
For everyone who knew her, Linda was a bright light, and she shines now in the memories of her family and friends. At her request, there will be no visitation and no services. Inurnment will be private.
To honor Linda and her life become an advocate for a child with special needs or make donations to CASA of Franklin County (300 Main Street, Rocky Mount, VA 24151) or to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service and Cremation Center, Rocky Mount.