Linda Ann Ruth (Leedell) RUKAVINA

Linda Rukavina, 82 of Nanaimo, passed away peacefully at Trillium Hospice in Parksville in April. Linda was born in Edinburgh to Joan (Joey) and John (Fredrick) Leedell. She came to Canada with her family following WWII and settled in North Vancouver. Linda was an excellent student and shared many fond memories of her high school years at North Vancouver High School. She lived in Los Angeles and Edson Alberta with the girls Dad Chuck, before returning to the West Coast and spending the rest of her life in Nanaimo. Linda completed her Bachelor of Education at UVic as a single parent of teens and had a long and rewarding career as an Elementary School Teacher. Mrs. Rukavina was a beloved teacher and worked with many generations of Grade 3 students in Nanaimo. Her love of children, adventure and literacy impacted those around her in her professional career.

In her personal life Linda’s children and her grandchildren were her world and their stories and adventures were what kept her going through her final years. ‘Island Gramma’ was an example to her family of resilience, strength, wisdom, and free-spirited optimism. Her involvement in their lives was constant and the loss is immeasurable.

She will be dearly missed by her daughters Janice (Steve), Danica (Dusko), Joey (Raph); her grandchildren Poppy, Willow, Luka, Bela, Aqua, Shea and Dusty; her brother John, sister-in-law Agnes, their children and grandchildren, niece Carol and her many brother and sisters-in-law and their families.

To her community: her loving neighbours Linda, Kelli, Albin, Rob and friends John, Cathie, and Brenda; Dr. Schulson all of the wonderful staff from Pinnacle Pharmacy, extraordinarily kind
VIHA caregivers, Dr. Booth and his team at Nanaimo Kidney Care who were there with Linda everyday as she navigated the healthcare system - she was so grateful to all of you and we cannot
thank you enough for the exceptional love and care she received from all of you.

Linda’s Celebration of Life will take place at Bethlehem Centre in Nanaimo on Friday, July 24th at 1:00 pm for those who would like to attend.

Linda’s final resting place will be North Vancouver Cemetery, where her ashes will be buried beside her parents.

In lieu of flowers we encourage donations to Trillium Hospice and Nanaimo Kidney Care in Linda's name.

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