Obituary
With profound sadness, we share the passing of our beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, Linda Kay (Gettings) Schell. Linda, 77, of Port Orange, FL, entered into heaven in the early morning hours of September 28, 2024, after complications due to her battle with Myelodysplastic Syndrome.
Born September 13, 1947 in New Castle, PA to Robert (Bob) and Pauline (Polly) Gettings, Linda was the middle of three girls, sisters and best friends, Judy and Cindy. She and her family first moved to Titusville then to New Smyrna Beach where she graduated from NSB High School in 1965. She married her high school sweetheart, Bill Schell, in 1971. Linda was a proud Air Force wife of 30 years, 13 of those as a commander’s wife. Their military career consisted of 15 moves before settling back home in Florida in 2001. They had 2 children, Cassie and Billy, during that time.
Linda was, first and foremost, a wonderful wife and amazing mother/grandmother. Her biggest joy was spending time with her grandkids and making many trips around the country to support them during gymnastic, cheerleading, soccer, volleyball, and football games and meets. Linda volunteered countless hours throughout her days as a military spouse with various positions in the Officers’ Wives Club as well as through the American Res Cross and thrift shops. She continued donating her time to their local church’s pumpkin patch. She loved her sports having played tennis, golf, racquetball, and, above all, bowling throughout her life. Linda was an avid animal lover, having had numerous dogs and cats along the way and helping to rescue homeless cats at several military bases. She loved to read, tend to her plants and flowers, and enjoyed cruises with family and friends. Linda was a die hard Gators fan in all sports! She loved playing bunco and cards with some of her dearest friends. Her home was often the place for gatherings and celebrations. She welcomed all who entered and made them feel like family immediately.
Linda is survived by her husband of 53 years, Bill, children Cassie (Dave) Reiss, and Billy (Kathy) Schell , grandchildren Kaitlyn, Carter, Kayleigh, and Bryce, her kitty Georgie, along with her father, Bob Gettings, sisters Judy (Sonny) Saxon and Cindy Mead, and loving nieces, nephew, great nephews, cousins, and many, many friends. She is preceded in death by her mother, Polly.
A family and friends visitation will be held at Baldwin Brothers Funeral Home, 1 North Causeway, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168, this Saturday, October 5th from 11-1, with private interment to follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Myelodysplastic Syndrome Foundation (mds-foundation.org), CAPS (Cuda scholarship program at nsbcaps.com), or your local animal rescue in her honor.
All are welcome to come share a special memory of our sweet Linda.
Visitation
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
1 North Causeway, New Smyrna Beach, Florida 32168
Under our Mom’s vigilante and gentle manner, we 3 sisters learned to bake cookies together, and soon we 3 also learned to make a roast beef, mashed potatoe, salad dinner together on Sunday. Our primary motivation in making Sunday dinner? We 3 only had to go to our church’s Sunday school, and could skip the Sunday church sermon if we said we wanted to cook our Sunday family dinner!
And time goes on throughout 77 years,
We married, we had our own children, but it was always we three sisters: Judy, Linda, Cindy. During the past 4 years, We 3 sisters continued to have family meals together, 1-2 times a week, at least. Linda was a wonderful cook, making some of the best sweet rolls, and crème puffs ever so delicious.
Linda’s no longer is on this earth with Cindy and I, - but I can tell you she’s still with us, and we will forever remain the three ‘Gettings Girls’. I Love You Linda. Give mom a hug and kiss from me and Cindy.
Gator gals!
80s 4th of July!
Original Gettings
Billy’s wedding
Derby day!
Meeting Wyle!