Obituary
Linda Joyce Bergstrom nee Smith passed away on August 10, 2024, from head injuries sustained in a cycling accident on July 12, 2024 at the age of 80. Linda was an avid cyclist and sportsperson. An active member of the Sarasota Manatee Bike Club (SMBC), Linda rode at least 3 times a week, typically more often than this, 25-30 miles each ride. She was an athlete her entire life, skiing and ski racing, golfing, yoga, backpacking, kayaking, swimming just to name a few.
Linda was born and raised in Connecticut, graduating from Middletown High School. She moved with her parents out to California, where she remained until 1976. In California, Linda obtained her degree and was a Respiratory Therapist at UCLA Medical Center. She moved back to Connecticut and started her own business, selling eyeglass frames to Optometrists up and down the East Coast, which is what she did until her retirement in 2005.
Linda met the love of her life, David, on the ski slopes. They were married in 1993. Both were serious skiers and very competitive. Their love for adventure leads them to travels around the world. Linda and David traveled extensively, always with an adventurous component to their trips. They visited Machu Pichu, Africa, Scotland, Ireland to name just a few of the counties. They went on a cruise to Alaska on a working small ship where they caught their own meals each day. Their very first cruise was a 3-week Transatlantic cruise which they enjoyed very much.
She is preceded in death by the love of her life, David Bergstrom (1937-2018) and her parents Herbert & Vivian Smith. She has two surviving children, a daughter Brenda Schurhamer (Michael) of Minnesota and son Chris Northcott (and partner Simona) of Utah. She is also survived by David’s two sons Mark Bergstrom of Connecticut and Peter Bergstrom (Wendy) of North Carolina. Linda also leaves her best and longest friend Katie Maltais (Kevin) of Florida. There are a total of 5 Grandchildren (Dustin Byers, Casey Byers, Gaelan Bergstrom, Grace Bergstrom and Nora Bergstrom), 4 Great-Grandchildren (Serenity Byers, Autumn Byers, Eleni Anousis & Mason Byers) and 1 Great-Great Grandson (Anthony Clinton). Linda also has 2 surviving siblings, Judith Smith and Donald Smith (Beverly) both of Connecticut.
Linda’s Celebration of Life will be held at the Canoe Creek Community Center on Saturday September 21st, 2024, from 1p-5p. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Tidewell Hospice House in Bradenton, FL, https://tidewellfoundation.org/donate/ or to the Sarasota Manatee Bicycling Club safety program. You can donate by accessing their website http://SMBC.us and writing in the comments section “In Memory of Linda Bergstrom”
Service
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