On the early morning of February 12, 2021 Linda Lou Browne passed away peacefully at Vancouver General Hospital in the ICU with her loving and long time friend Wendy Scott at her side. She leaves behind her brother Gary (Burnaby) and many friends, caregiver friends, and others whose lives she touched over the years. Linda was predeceased by her mother Irene Browne (nee Arpin) in 2014 and long time caregiver and best friend Leah Heinz in 2013.
Linda was born and raised in Queensborough and New Westminster. She was born with a rare form of muscular dystrophy and during her childhood she spent months at a time in the Shriners hospitals in Winnipeg and Portland.
Linda attended New Westminster High School and participated in the Burnaby recreation program TH2, where she made lifelong friendships.
As an adult Linda faced many challenges in her fight to remain independent. Ultimately she lived independently in her Kitsilano co-op with 24/7 caregivers. Early on she was a co-op Board member and otherwise took on tasks to contribute when she could. For the past several years Linda managed her own care through the CSIL program and employed many compassionate caregivers.
During her adult years Linda served on the Board of Handydart and sang in various choirs in Vancouver and North Vancouver. She also knitted, crocheted, independently learned German and dabbled in a variety of interests through books, music and later through the computer. As all will know from visiting her apartment, Linda was an avid collector of anything Disney and had an amazing collection of pins and figurines. Linda had a bright and active mind with a witty sense of humour. She can only be described as courageous, fiercely independent, with a strong will to live. She was an inspiration to those who had the privilege and pleasure to know her.
Many thanks to Linda's 24/7 dedicated caregiver team and the doctors and nurses at VGH who cared for Linda during her final 12 days. During her final day at the hospital, Linda was at peace and pain free. She mouthed the words to “Let There Be Peace On Earth and Let It Begin With Me” as it was played in her room. Such an inspiration ………
There will not be a Celebration of Life for Linda due to COVID 19 restrictions so please share a memory or two on this page so we may connect and virtually remember her together.