Obituary of Anna Betty Linden
Ann Linden died peacefully on Nov 6 at age 95 at the end of a long decline in her health following a stroke August 2018. She is survived by her daughters Ms. Lisa Linden and Dr. Barbara A. Heintz and her husband Victor J. Heintz, and her grandchildren Ms. Laura E. Heintz and Dr. Eric V. Heintz. She was preceded in death by her husband G. Roland Linden on Dec 28, 2000.
Ann was born Sept 22, 1924 to Swedish immigrants Olaf and Betty Johnson in Brooklyn, New York. When mother Betty died while Ann was a young child, the former Elsa Weden became her mother and “Mormor” to her daughters Lisa and Barbara. Ann worked as a secretary in New York City; she met her future husband, Gosta Roland Linden, also the son of Swedish immigrants, while enjoying a summer outing at a Swedish Vasa Social club. They built a home in Park Ridge, New Jersey, to start a family and raise their two daughters. During this time Ann was active with her daughters in Girl Scouts and as well as her daughters’ Swedish folk dance club. She enjoyed reading, sewing, embroidery, and gardening; she had a green thumb which she seems to have passed on to her grandson.
The family moved to Burr Ridge, Illinois, in 1972 when Roland transferred to the Chicago area for work; she remained active in Sunday school education at the family’s church. They retired to Englewood, Florida, in 1980 soon after Barbara and Victor were married. Florida was a special place for Barb and Vic’s family to visit annually. Ann and Lisa moved to Henrietta, NY, in 2005 to be closer to the family after Roland died in 2000. Ann lived with Lisa there until her death.
Among Ann’s greatest loves were the lakes and mountains of New York State’s Adirondack Park. After years of camping since the late 1940s, Ann and her husband built a summer home on the shores of Long Lake in 1961 for their young family. Through all the years, Ann enjoyed spending every summer at their beloved lake home. She spent countless hours there in her favorite role as grandmother to Eric and Laura. In spite of her failing health, she was able to enjoy the view from the porch of her little piece of heaven on earth one last time this past summer.
Not only was Ann devoted to her children and grandchildren but she adored the family dogs, Kirby, Pixie and Penny. We often referred to Ann as the “petting zoo.”
A private memorial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to Lollypop Farm, 99 Victor Road, Fairport, NY 14450 (DONATE ONLINE) or to the Long Lake Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 415, Long Lake, NY 12847 [LINK].
