In Memory

Linda Coontz (Malone) - Class Of 1962

Linda Coontz (Malone)

Linda Coontz Malone

November 22, 1944 - March 29, 2022

With her family by her side at home, Linda finally succumbed to her battle with breast cancer after valiantly fighting it for many years. She was a cherished friend to all who knew her.

Linda was born in Santa Ana, the daughter of Elizabeth Whitney and William Coontz. She grew up in Pasadena and South Pasadena. After graduating from South Pasadena High in 1962, she attended Redlands University before graduating from Occidental College in 1966 with a degree in English literature. She then taught English in the Los Angeles public schools for several years. While at Occidental, Linda met her future husband and love of her life, Steve Malone. They married in 1969 and formed an unbreakable bond that lasted the rest of their lives.

After Steve completed his graduate education in geophysics at the University of Nevada-Reno, he accepted a position on the faculty at the University of Washington in Seattle and became, and still is, a highly respected seismologist, studying earthquakes and volcanoes. Linda continued her teaching career and also worked as an accountant. They bought a home there, where they lived for the rest of their lives together and raised their two daughters, Erika and Kristin.

These landmarks in Linda's life, though, don't begin to measure who she was. She was a person of many diverse interests. For the last 25 years of her life she was an accomplished artist, painting hundreds of beautiful watercolors, mostly of flowers. She and Steve traveled extensively to destinations throughout the world, many centered on volcanoes or snorkeling. Linda was also a voracious reader. Although she held staunch opinions on a wide range of matters, she was tolerant of competing opinions and willing to change her mind if convinced it was right to do so. Linda would also be, and often was, hilarious. Her laugh was infectious, and it was always fun to be with her. Above all, Linda had a magical ability to make and keep friends. Once people got to know her, they became friends for life. In a rare situation where a disagreement occurred between them, Linda worked diligently and successfully to resolve it. She had close friends from all times and phases of her life, and she was devoted to them, just as they were devoted to her. Linda was a beautiful person, and those of us fortunate enough to know her learned valuable life lessons from her. We can continue to reflect them and pass them on to others.

Linda is survived by her husband Steve; their daughter Erika and son-in-law Justin; their daughter Kristin, son-in-law Todd, and grandchildren Lucy and Kinley; Linda's brother, Steve Coontz '63; and countless other friends and relatives. She was a brilliant example of how to live a life, and we all will miss her terribly.

Contributed by Steve Coontz '63

 

 

 



 
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04/05/22 12:29 PM #1    

James Tomlin (1961)

Linda was a great friend when we were growing up, and Steve said it so well, the kind of person the world can most afford to lose. She moved so far away it was impossible to stay personally in touch. I see her now in my minds eye, forever smiling, forever young.

 


04/06/22 07:56 AM #2    

Pamella Dean (1962)

Linda was (and still is) one of my best friends.  Our life journeys went different ways for a few years....but when we re-connected 30 years ago, we picked up our special friendship. Our times together in Seattle included long walks, coffee, deep conversations, belly laughs, and delicious meals. This last year was so difficult, but she met every challenge with strength and grace. I loved our weekly phone conversations; she had so many friendships which she valued greatly.  But best of all, she had an incredible marriage (a love story for the ages), two brilliant accomplished daughters (& their husbands) and two adorable granddaughters. She was a gift to all who knew her and she will be greatly missed!  


04/06/22 09:38 AM #3    

Donna Kemp (Brown) (1962)

What a shock to hear of Linda's death.  But thank you, Steve, for writing such a wonderful memory of your sister.  Linda was a dear friend in high school and I am only sorry that our lives did not connect more since we lived most of the time on opposite sides of the country.  But I do have good memories of spending spring breaks at her aunt's house in Newport (getting too much sun!).  She was such a delightful, upbeat and fully-engaged person.  I would love to see some of her art.  Perhaps there can be a video of it shown at the reunion in June, which I am sorry to say I cannot attend since I had already signed up for a hiking trip in Europe.  My condolences to Steve and to the family.

Donna (Kemp) Brown


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