Linda Patricia Armstrong, 69

Linda Patricia Armstrong (Nee Govier)
After attending hundreds of meetings in her lifetime Linda Armstrong has gone to the biggest meeting of them all. Linda has gone to meet with the Lord.
Linda Patricia Armstrong, 69, of Sleeman Ontario passed away on Friday July 15, 2016 at Rainy River Hospital.
Linda was born in Clinton, Ontario on April 9, 1947 to the late William and Margaret Govier and grew up on a family farm near Staffa Ontario before moving to the Rainy River District at the age of 14. Later she returned to Toronto to take her training as a Registered Nursing Assistant before starting her nursing career in Rainy River.
She was united in marriage to Stanley Armstrong on February 6, 1971. They spent 45 years together farming in Worthington Township, and worked off the farm as well.
Linda first worked at the Rainy River Red Cross Hospital before moving to the clinic in 1976. It has been said that she excelled at being able to get blood samples from challenging patients. During her career she watched as patients came into the clinic as kids, grow into adults and had children of their own. She retired from the clinic in 2013 and then worked part-time for a while because she missed her co-workers so much.
Agriculture was also a big part of her life both on and off the farm. Promotion of the local agricultural industry was one of her lifelong goals. She was a member of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture for many years and was presently the Rainy River District Member Services Rep. Linda managed the Farm Progress Building at the Rainy River District Fair for over 20 years. She also worked at the Stratton Cattle Auction for a number of years. Receiving the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her commitment to, and promotion of the agricultural industry, in 2012 was just the latest of her many volunteer awards.
Outside of nursing and farming, Linda was active in local politics as she served on council for over 25 years in the Township of Dawson and was presently in her first term as Reeve. She was also a member of the Rainy River Library Board, Rainy River United Church Council, District Social Services Board, plus many other boards and committees.
Curling was Linda’s winter sport, which was replaced by ice fishing in later years after her knees gave out. Stan and Linda where so committed to ice fishing that they had to purchase a separate four-wheel pickup truck which they only used for this purpose.
During the last 2 years she and Stan spent many hours at Tamarack House in Thunder Bay where she never hesitated to share her experiences and offer support to fellow residents.
She will be lovingly remembered by her husband Stan and much-loved dog Oscar, Brothers Tom (Gail) of Emo, and Herb (Donna) of Sleeman, Brother-in-law Gordon (Jeanette) of Rainy River and Sister’s-in-law Phyllis (Don) of Warroad Minn and Darlene Armstrong of Rainy River. Auntie also will be sadly missed by her numerous nieces and nephews.
Linda was predeceased by her parents, Margaret and William Govier, her in-laws Holgar and Fannie Armstrong, her Brother’s-in-law Ron Armstrong and Norman Armstrong and her Sister-in-law, Verna Barsy.
Special thanks to Denise Johnson and Veronica Nordberg for their constant support and assistance during the last two years of Linda’s illness. Also special thanks to the staff of Rainy River Hospital and Tamarack House.
Family and friends will be received at the Rainy River Evangelical Covenant Church on Tuesday July 19, 2016 from 7-9 pm. Funeral services will be held Wednesday July 20, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in the same location.
Rev. Frances Flook will officiate with internment to take place in Blue Township Cemetery.
Linda’s pallbearers will be Corrie Govier, Russell Govier, Calvin Armstrong, Tom Armstrong, Jim Armstrong and John Bouchard.
Honorary pallbearers will be Denise Johnson, Veronica Nordberg, Dianna Gamsby, Norina Sopotiuck, Gwen Halverson, and Helen Kellner.
If desired, in memoriam donations may be made to Tamarack House C/O Northridge Funeral Home, Box 89 Emo, Ontario. P0W1E0.
Online condolences can be offered at www.northridgefuneralhome.com