Linda’s Last Chapter
Linda Leigh Logan’s final chapter came to a close when she passed away on March 30th, 2020, after an epic battle with stage 4 colon cancer.
Her story began when she was born in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, on December 8, 1962 and continued in a rich and multi-faceted fashion for 57 years. Highlights from her thrilling life story are many. Early in her life, she began to stand out as a diligent student, a voracious reader, and a competitive swimmer. As she grew up, she was demonstrating a highly motivated drive and skill level that she brought to every new challenge – academically, athletically, and musically. Linda’s competitive fire was endearing to most but likely annoying to classmates being graded on a curve! At Tivy High School in Kerrville, Texas, she excelled in class, on the tennis team and as editor of the yearbook. She was also a gifted singer and self-taught guitar player, participating in the Hill Country music scene with her talented friends.
Linda was named a National Merit Scholarship winner upon high school graduation and attended Baylor University with a full-ride scholarship, much to her parents' relief. While in college, she continued performing music in Waco, singing with a band from the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, while also making great friends as a little sister for the house. But where Linda really performed was in the classroom. After briefly considering the study of medicine, she decided to major in journalism, earning her Bachelor’s Degree with honors. She also had the privilege of covering the President of Baylor University, with a standing weekly interview that appeared in the college newspaper, The Baylor Lariat.
Throughout her life, Linda would playfully remind others, particularly her husband, “I can do anything!” And she could.
It was Linda’s decision to begin her career in the field of advertising that led to her next adventures. As a profession that is viewed only slightly more favorably than used car salesman, Linda’s advertising career began as a media planner and buyer. Her clients? You guessed it, car dealerships! Her chosen field featured a collection of characters, from Arizona to Texas, no less eccentric than Steinbeck’s Cannery Row. But overachiever that she is, Linda managed to meet, befriend, collaborate with and ultimately fall in love with one of the most eccentric, yet lovable, ad agency characters – Jeff Logan. Friends, lovers, and fiercely loyal partners for over 25 years, Linda and Jeff’s connection was undeniable, sometimes maddening, but always inspiring. Many of us came to know Linda through Jeff, and quickly understood the true depth of their love and that their souls were destined to be together. Linda and Jeff were married on a houseboat in 1995. Invitations to the wedding had a simple yet powerful theme: Life Preservers.
Linda’s professional successes soon far outnumbered her academic achievements. She was always very proud to have led an early interactive team, while at ADMARC Advertising/ Meyer & Johnson in Irving, TX, creating the original consumer travel booking website and branding for Travelocity. Her early interactive clients included SABRE, The Associates, Citigroup, Galderma, Zales, and her favorite Exxon/Mobil with interactive assignments for the USA and internationally. Later, Linda transitioned her career to the client-side after serving as an Account Supervisor and Launch Manager on-site with TracyLocke client Nokia. Linda continued to thrive in the wireless industry as both a Product Launch Manager and Packaging Manager with both Nokia and later, Microsoft.
Most recently, Linda was quite passionate about her role as Project Manager with her Connected Vehicle Services team with Sirius XM Radio. Her time at Sirius was wonderful for both professional growth and unwavering support and understanding for her cancer battle. Linda continued to work full-time while in treatment and the Logan family is eternally grateful to the Sirius XM team for being there for Linda through it all.
Linda’s story was marked by many close personal relationships. You know who you are because being close to Linda meant you were often on the rather sharp end of her humor. Linda may not have invented snark, but she certainly perfected it on those she deeply liked and loved. And she took it as good as she could dish it out. Trading barbs with Linda’s quick wit and laughing together as we exposed our own foibles was nothing short of a treasure. And one that would surely be a disappointment to her if it wasn’t continued in her memory.
ОЛЬГА & АНАСТАСИЯ
After some difficulties and dangers dealing with infertility, Linda and Jeff completed an adventure of a lifetime when they chose to complete their family through adoption. Their journey took them to Moscow and ultimately Kaluga, Russia, like some sort of cinematic thrill ride. There they met Olga and Anastasia, during the summer of 2001. These beautiful sisters were 4 and 2 and a perfect match for all the love Linda and Jeff had to give. This new family quickly bonded and returned to their new lives in Texas. Fortunately for all, one adventure was just barely missed. The new family cleared immigration at DFW Airport on September 9, 2001, just two days before the world changed. Today, Olga and Anastasia are thriving young adults, shaped by their Mom and Dad. Olga works as a registered dental assistant, while Anastasia works as a content editor at a digital marketing firm. Please pray for these young women as they go through adult life, still heeding the strong, supportive voice of their mother.
Pets have always played a supporting role in Linda's life. Early in her relationship with Jeff, she was fond of saying, "Oh well…love me, love my pets!" At that time, Linda had her beloved Golden Retriever, Buda, one of the greatest dogs ever. This was mainly thanks to Linda investing the time in Buda's impeccable field training. Her senior citizen rabbit named Spuds McKenzie also joined Jeff and Buda. Jeff attempted to get into the act by impulsively adding a single redhead guinea pig named Peep. Not surprisingly, Peep quickly gave birth during one overnight. And then there were 3 guinea pigs, truly making their new home together an "Animal House." After Buda's untimely passing, Linda adopted a Border Collie rescue named Maggie who's friendly nature brightened their lives together. Maggie was also the girls’ first “sobaka.” Later, the irascible and talkative Husky/Golden mix, Dixie entered the picture. Dixie found it difficult to process Linda's absence, even as her own health declined. Dixie met her mother and her other friends at the Rainbow Bridge in February, 2021. Perhaps our dear readers might like to honor Linda Logan and her reunion with Dixie by donating in her name to Operation Kindness, where Anastasia first found Dixie.
In early 2015, Linda's storybook life turned into a pulse-pounding medical drama. She was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer that had metastasized to her liver. As you are no doubt learning, Linda was known for over-achievement and curve-breaking, and her cancer journey was no exception. By the summer of 2017, she had nearly achieved remission, when very serious complications put her in the ICU for 10 days. But once again, Linda's will persevered. By the spring of 2019, she was nearing the end of all the approved chemotherapy drugs and began investigating clinical trial medications locally and at MD Anderson in Houston. Ultimately, Linda never qualified for investigational therapies. Undaunted, she still valiantly rode her luxury motor coach to Houston every other week. And of course, she weathered acts of God and man while being treated in Houston. During her initial attempt at treatment, Tropical Storm Imelda upended her planned appointments with 35” of rain that closed the MD Anderson campus. And on what would be her final trip to Houston, a large water main break crippled the city and once again shut down MD Anderson. Even though her appointments were “cancelled” that day, Linda still managed to complete bloodwork and meet with her oncologist. Together, they determined that Linda’s cancer treatments were over on February 28, 2020.
Much as she led her life, Linda seemingly scripted her ending in her own inimitable way. Despite being besieged equally from both the cancer and the treatment, Linda fought ferociously for 5 years total, far beyond the prognostications of the experts. Chemo runs, as they say, are not for the weak, and Linda was nothing if not strong, undergoing over 100 rounds, both infused and oral. When her organs finally refused to bend to her will, it was her heart that still led the charge. Beating on with great strength and resolve, keeping up the fight for her family despite incredible odds. And even though we lost her spectacular brain, it is her heart that will live on as a part of all of us lucky enough to have known her, laughed with her, cried with her and loved her.
As we each deal with her passing, we are encouraged to remember Linda Logan during all the great adventures and journeys. The times of laughter and joy, the times of sadness and anger. Our experiences with Linda have changed us all in ways we are only now beginning to realize. But there remains one more experience that heaven knows Linda would like you to make a priority. If you are over 45, in a high-risk group, or simply have any family history of polyps, please get a colonoscopy.
Linda working with Buda, along the banks of the Guadalupe River.
Epilogue: The Interment of Linda L. Logan
A private family interment was held on July 8, 2021. Linda L. Logan reached her final resting place late in the afternoon, after a brief journey. Linda’s remains were accompanied by those of her other blonde daughter, Dixie. The word of God was shared by Olga and Anastasia, from Philippians and Romans respectively. Both young women were moved and overcome by the depths of their Mother’s love – which will now reside in their hearts forever.
“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” — Philippians 4:13
Epilogue II: The Perfect Match
Linda and Jeff shared a contentedness and a joy in each other that added so much to their completeness as a married couple, deeply in love – the perfect match.
Actor Robin Williams created one of the most vivid pictures of this perfect match with his performance as Sean in Good Will Hunting, earning him the Academy Award. Were the words actually penned by the youthful Damon and Affleck, awarded for the screenplay, or was there something much more happening in the brilliant, battered mind of Williams?
(Laughter after Sean has told Will about how his wife used to fart in her sleep, one time waking herself up)
“She’s been dead 2 years and that’s the shit I remember… wonderful stuff you know? Little things like that, those are the things that I miss the most. The little idiosyncrasies that only I knew about. That’s what made her my wife.”
“You’re not perfect, sport. And let me save you the suspense…this girl you met, she isn’t perfect either. But the question is, whether or not you’re perfect for each other. That’s the whole deal, that’s what intimacy is all about. Now you can know everything in the world, sport, but the only way you’re finding that one out is by giving it a shot.”
Linda generously gave it her best shot. And remember, she can do anything.
Links in Linda’s life:
Linda’s Celebration of Life - Powerful words from our gifted speakers https://vimeo.com/434587067
Linda’s Essential Playlist - Musical influences, signaling different times and emotions in her life https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3elISiAsX6oHhef3EBMTKk?si=r3PtVzWERfCKu5obncJRcw
Gladney Center for Adoption https://adoptionsbygladney.com/
Operation Kindness https://www.operationkindness.org/make-a-memorial-gift/
Colorectal Cancer Alliance https://www.ccalliance.org/
Stand Up to Cancer https://standuptocancer.org/