Linda Sue Trueman

Linda learned that she had cancer in the Spring. She had an extended hospital stay because of complications from the cancer and related surgery, but her medical team was optimistic about her recovery and return home right up until her final week. Her death on November 9th at Vancouver General Hospital, in some ways, was a surprise.

Family was very important to Linda. She is survived by her loving husband, John, her children, Kimberley, (Mark) Nill, Kelley (Doug) Stuart and Mark (Penny Korethoski), her grandchildren: Yanik, Torin and Braea Nill and Andraya, Karsten and Sage Stuart, as well as her extended family.

Linda was born in Winnipeg to Neil (Casey) and Violet Gray. They moved to Vancouver in 1950 where her father was tasked with helping to open the original Eatons store. She dearly missed her Granny Budd, Aunt Belva and cousin, Wayne Faraci, the snowy winters, backyard ice rink and her Granny’s cottage at Winnipeg Beach.

Linda developed a love of downhill skiing from the age of 10. She introduced her children and grandchildren to the sport through family getaways to Whistler, Manning Park, the Okanagan and the Kootenays. In February, 2025, Linda was downhill skiing with her family at Big White.

She met John at Point Grey Jr. High in 1953 and he asked her to a Magee High School dance in 1956. Alhough they were in the same grad class; they didn’t start dating until 1964. They married in 1965. They had many adventures and so much fun throughout their 60 years together.

After completing her first 2 years at UBC, and a third at VGH, she worked at VGH as a Registered Medical Technician. She took some time off to travel with friends. From 1962 to 1967 she worked in research at VGH and UBC hospitals in hematology and academic pathology. In 1967/68 she spent a memorable year with John in London, England where she completed the third year of her BSc at Bedford College while John studied law. While there, they enjoyed 40 plays and concerts, skied in Austria at Christmas and traveled with her parents throughout England in the summer. She graduated with her BSc in 1969 from UBC where she then worked as a research assistant in pathology until Kimberley and Kelley were born in 1970.

Linda’s children were one of the great joys of her life. After having been surprised on the day of their birth with not one, but two daughters, she was gifted with son, Mark, in 1974. She chose to stay home with her children until Mark started school. She was interested in everything they did and got to know their friends who were welcomed at home, Whistler and Maracaibo on Salt Spring Island.

In 1980, she returned to UBC hospital as an Advanced Registered Medical Technologist and worked in cancer research until 1995 when she left to work as a biology lab manager at Kwantlen University College until retirement.

Linda became a grandmother in 2001 and was equally delighted to welcome five more grandchildren over the next 11 years. She was an intentional, involved and loving grandma to her grandchildren and to many others who considered her their grandmother.

Linda treasured time spent at the family cottage at Maracaibo where she spent long weekends and summer holidays with family and friends. From there, John and Linda kayaked and camped on the Gulf Island Islands and hiked the trails and explored Salt Spring Island with family and friends over a period of 50 years.

Linda was a lifelong learner. She played the piano from a young age and returned to lessons at the Vancouver Symphony School of Music after retirement. She volunteered as a pianist at B.C. Children’s Hospital and B.C. Cancer Agency. She travelled extensively with John to learn about other people and cultures. They visited 24 European countries, Great Britain and Ireland, the Soviet Union in 1988, Russia in 2013 and Australia in 2023. They were planning to celebrate their 60th anniversary in England this summer but it was not to be.

After retirement, Linda worked with a personal trainer to pursue health and well-being in a holistic way. She also participated in continuing education classes through UBC in current medical research and international affairs. She shared her love of music and theatre with John both locally and abroad. She loved photography and produced many albums of family activities and their trips abroad. Linda valued people and relationships. She had lifelong friends and made meaningful connections wherever she went. She kept in touch with many childhood and high school friends, neighbours and colleagues. She was part of a Bridge group for decades and a photo album making group for almost 30 years. She loved entertaining family and friends with her creative cooking. She touched many lives and changed a few.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the New Year. If you would like to be contacted with details, please email: celebratelindatrueman@gmail.com

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in her memory to B.C. Cancer Foundation. bccancerfoundation.com

We would like to thank the many doctors, nurses and care aids at VGH and UBC hospitals who looked after Linda.