Linda K. Smith

Linda Pauline Katz Duval Smith, born on April Fool's Day, 1942, in Boston, Massachusetts, departed this world on June 28, 2025, surrounded by family and friends who loved her fiercely. Always a force of nature, Linda was the middle daughter of Norman and Harriet Katz, and the last surviving sister of Paula and Toby. Her accent was pure Boston, and no matter how far life took her, it never wavered - she always "pahhhked the cahhhh." A graduate of Beth Israel Nursing School Class of 1963, Linda was not just a nurse; she was a trailblazer. She worked with Dr. Paul Zoll on the first pacemaker implant surgery, spent years in the ER where she was unflappable and experienced much subject matter for her hilarious stories, and later thrived in the corporate healthcare world. She raised four amazing children-Jacquie (Daniel), Derek (Julie), Suzanne (Steve), and Daniel (Debora)-and was proud of her stepchildren, Matt (Courtney) and Alexis (James). She was also deeply loved and was proud of her many grandchildren: Chelsea, Dylan, Rosalind, Katie, Kyle, Peter, Oliver, Alex, Emmett and Andrew, as well as Marty's grandchildren: Millie, Daria, Nicola, Perry, and Grayson. The most cherished of all to Linda ("Babu") were her twin great granddaughters, Violet and Ivy, who gave her so much joy and so many giggles. Linda also deeply loved all of the spouses and partners of this large family (Tom, Lauren, Pablo, Jenna, Jordan, Jade) and her adopted granddaughters Sophia and Julia. Her sister-in-law Laure was so dear to her and was also with her at the end of her life. To be honest, there are so many people Linda touched that everyone felt she was family to them. But Linda's greatest love story was with her husband, Martin "Marty" Smith. Their bond was one for the ages. Marty spent every day of their marriage trying to satisfy her every wish-whether it was getting her lobster or running to Costco to buy extra butter. There always had to be 7 pounds in the freezer for emergencies. And Linda? Her love for Marty was unshakeable. They were a perfect pair, devoted to each other and their families, their shared commitment and affection a foundation for everything they built together. Linda had a legendary poker face (but with a telltale cheeky grin). Her love for the casino never dimmed and she taught her poker skills (and her colorful language) to all her grandchildren. If you ever sat across the table from her, you knew there was a shark in the waters. She adored butter, lobster, and garlic-and never met a plate of food she couldn't improve with at least one of those ingredients. The lobsters of Maine are now safer without her around to eat them. Her kitchen table was always full of delicious food she cooked - most famously her meat sauce for spaghetti and her luckshen kugel (noodle pudding). She loved to sing at the top of her lungs, and it didn't matter that she knew neither the tune nor the words. Her love for her Jewish heritage was deep, even though she wasn't religious, and she found joy in celebrating her traditions with the people she cherished. In the final months of her life, Linda was lovingly cared for full time by her daughter Suzie since a stroke in January 2024 left her mostly immobile. She passed peacefully in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, from complications of a heart attack, but not without leaving behind an indelible mark on the hearts of all who knew her. Family and friends are invited to Linda's Life Celebration, Saturday, July 12th, from 10-11am at John F. Givnish of Buckingham, 4886 York Road, and to participate in her Funeral Service at 11am. Please dress joyfully and be ready to sing "Leaving on a Jet Plane" at the top of your lungs. In honor of Linda, take a moment to raise a glass, play a hand of cards, or share a bawdy joke-you can be sure she would've found all of it delightful. And, of course, eat something with too much garlic and butter; she'd want it that way. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Midway Volunteer Fire Company where Marty is a member of the fire police team.