Linda Denise Wood

Linda Denise (Massey, Hetherington) Wood, born on December 9, 1958, in Abilene, Texas, passed away peacefully at her home in Abilene, Kansas, on June 5, 2026. Linda was the beloved daughter of the late Joe Howle and Barbara (Richards) Fitzgerald.

Linda was mother to Mathew (Guille) Massey and embraced numerous children into her family through adoption and foster care, leaving a lasting legacy of love and compassion. She was the proud grandmother to many grandchildren and was a beloved aunt to her nieces and nephews. Linda is survived by her second father, Clendon "Sonny" Fitzgerald, sister, Paula (Steve) Hall, her brother, Gene (Robin Franz) Wheeler, and her step-mother Ann Howle. She was preceded in death by her father Joe Howle and Mother Barbara Richards, as well as two step brothers David and Donald Fitzgerald.

Throughout her life, Linda held various jobs, including being a 911 dispatcher, Subway Sandwich Artist, Russell Stover store clerk, and private house cleaner. However, she found her true calling as a daycare provider and foster parent, roles she cherished deeply.

Linda was an avid reader, particularly of romance novels, with a special fondness for those featuring Fabio on the cover. Family holidays, especially Christmas, were a joy to her, marked by baking and the setup of her Christmas Village. She was known for her collecting of carousels and the fanciest watches, despite claiming to be tech savvy she often needed help with all tech-related tasks.

A celebration of Linda's life will be held on Thursday, June 18th, at 2 p.m. at Riverside Church, 2401 Alcott St., Denver. A dessert reception will follow immediately, where family and friends will gather to honor Linda's memory.