SEVERNA PARK, MD – Linda H Haller, 83, of Severna Park, MD, passed away on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. She was a beautiful person full of love and kindness. Linda was born to Margery and Percival Hall on December 29th, 1937. She grew up in Washington DC on the Gallaudet College campus with her twin sister, Nancy Hall of Denver, CO, and older sister Sara Todd of Denver, CO. Her father was a math professor and her grandfather was the president of the college. She graduated from Eastern High School, and went on to attend Carnegie Tech, where she studied home economics, and was on the basketball team. After college, she moved to New York City, where she worked for Betty Crocker Test Kitchens, and met husband John Haller on a blind date on Friday the 13th.
Linda and John had 4 children (including twins), and raised them in New York. Linda was a great seamstress, making outfits for the girls and for her formal events. She loved to cook, and she always went out of her way to make people their favorite foods and desserts. She has some of her very ‘famous’ recipes that she was known for, including cinnamon rolls and ice cream dessert. Her greatest joy was music – she loved show tunes, knew all the words, loved to harmonize, and was always humming.
Several years after husband John passed away in 2008, she met her friend Dave, and had many years of great companionship, traveling together and going to concerts and museums. Like her mother, Linda suffered from dementia, and eventually moved to the Eddy Village Green nursing home in Cohoes, NY. Through the progression of the disease, she maintained her sense of humor, her desire to always be a hostess, her love for music, and her terrific smile and laugh.
Linda is survived by her children Karen Haller of Saratoga Springs, NY, Anne Gowdy and husband Jim of Phoenix, AZ, John Haller and wife Michelle of Saratoga Springs, NY, and Jennifer Moore of Phoenix, AZ; and by 10 grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, Linda would have appreciated a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org).
Jim Gowdy (Jr)
Grandma Linda was a such a nice, caring woman. I don’t think I have any memories of her where she wasn’t in a good mood. She loved her family, and welcomed me as part of her family from the moment I met her. I will always be thankful for her kind heart, laughter, and love of family.
Emily Mautner Sullivan
Linda was a woman full of love for everyone she met, and she will be greatly missed. RIP Linda.
Mark Todd
Karen, Anne, John, Jen, Jim, and Michelle, I am so sorry for your loss. Aunt Linda was a wonderful mother for you guys all your lives. I’m glad you All stayed so close over the years and didn’t let living long distances away keep you from getting together often. May she rest in peace.
Madison Todd Gunnoe
I am so sorry for your loss. Although I never met Linda, at least as an adult, I’ve heard so many wonderful stories through my Grandma Sara and Aunt Nancy, especially since moving to Denver. I’m sending so much love your way!
Carol Todd
Karen, John, Anne, and Jen, I am so sorry for the loss of your mom. Aunt Linda was such a positive and cheerful person. I always enjoyed the big family get togethers for holidays in Severna Park open to any and all family in or near or passing through the area. The bustling kitchen, multiple tables, and the rabid card games after eating really great food are wonderful memories. She loved getting as many of you, your spouses and children together and sharing updates on all of you who might not have been able to be there.
I can remember lots of laughter over her stories of all you kids growing up when her “dear all” letters would arrive. Life was always hectic with twins in the mix, and I have a vivid recollection of her description of plastic snap together colorful beads being twirled around like a rope overhead (and flying apart) by one of you in the midst of other things going on. She was a very funny writer!
She introduced me to artichokes on one of our family trips when you were living in NY, so I always have that association when I enjoy such a crazy vegetable. I am trying to grow some this year…
I know the recent years have been hard as she became more forgetful, and you all have done the best you could for her in keeping her as active and involved and connected as you could.
Sending big hugs and lots of love from your cousin in Colorado.
Robin Fitzmorris
Linda was a wonderful lady. I am glad to have known her. May wonderful memories bring peace and joy during your time of grief.
Elizabeth Truesdell
Aloha and our condolences to Linda’s children, sisters, family and friends. Linda was my dad Richard French’s first cousin, so, therefore, my first cousin once removed.
I remember a wonderful family gathering on Thanksgiving, 1986, when I was visiting my brother, Stephen French, who had moved to Arlington after college to work in D.C. Linda and John invited Stephen and me up to the extended family feast, which was a great time to get to know that side of the family and be wrapped in the warmth of the Haller hospitality. Great Aunt Margery was also there. Such good memories.
We Frenches will keep all of you in our prayers as you celebrate Linda’s life and her many ways of making people feel loved and welcome.
God bless,
Elizabeth French Truesdell
Helen MacDonald
I send my deepest sympathy to Linda’s extended family.
Linda was a good friend at Carnegie Mellon. She will be missed by many.. We had a good time in Margaret Morrison
Dormitory. Our basketball team may not may not have been Olympic quality, but we did have fun!
Helen MacDonald