Linda Diane Szczepkowski was full of vitality and love. Her friends and family are grieving the loss of a strong woman who brought joy, electricity, and excitement to life. She was not ready to leave us, and we weren’t ready to lose her. She died in the early morning of August 28, 2026 after a final showdown with cancer, which she fought with the tenacity that defined her life. She was 72.

Linda was born on September 15, 1953 on the South Side of Chicago. In her earliest years she walked on sidewalks swept by a tight-knit community of Lithuanian and Polish immigrants. As she came of age, the fight for civil rights instilled in her an enduring commitment to justice. In college she was shaped by new ideas, definitions, and social awakening, making friends whom she would cherish for life. She received her master’s degree in counseling and her moral clarity and love for others led her to devote her career to helping others become their best selves, empowering women, and giving people second chances.

Linda leapt through life and was the creator of cherished memories. She was the youngest daughter of Clement and Florence, growing up alongside an extended family of aunts and uncles and cousins. Devotion and dedication to family were a gift Linda cherished and one that she joyously and generously provided to others. When her mother, Flo, needed a caregiver in the later years of a long and well-lived life, Linda opened her home and her heart.

Linda loved her niece Adrianne as a daughter, and Joey and Kathy, her lifelong friends, as a brother and sister. She was grand-aunt to Miles and Isla, and along with Dylan and Lucas, they were all especially blessed to receive the fullest of Linda’s kindness and affection. She bestowed magic and made their lives better. Linda also had many meaningful moments with her sister, Karen, her brother-in-law, Joe, and their children Anthony, Michael, and Jazmine.

Linda arrived early to all occasions, with gusto and enthusiasm. She loved art, concerts, Broadway shows, and the farmers’ market. She got excited about eating pierogi and kugelis, and was competitive when playing games. She drove fast and listened to Tina Turner. She was interesting and fun! Linda overcame some difficult challenges in her life and never lost sight of what was important. Her fiery spark made others want to be around her. We will miss her laugh, her indomitable spirit, and the brightness she radiated.

We hope you will join us in celebrating Linda at a ceremony on Sunday, November 8, 2026 at 11 a.m. at Olbrich Gardens.

For more information or to leave a memory, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services
2418 N. Sherman Avenue
608-249-8257

Linda Szczepkowski

September 15, 1953 - August 28, 2026

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