Linda Lee Boyle

GLENBURN – Linda Lee Boyle died peacefully on May 19, 2020 at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center of a brain aneurysm. Linda was born on December 24, 1962, in Bangor, Maine to Phyllis L. (Perkins) (Boyle) Roberts and James P. Boyle. Linda attended Bangor schools and graduated from Bangor High School in 1981. She attended the University of Maine at Farmington, Kent State University and graduated from the University of Maine (Orono) in 1987 with a B.S. in Education/minor in Psychology. After graduating, Linda moved briefly to Florida to be closer to her mother and sister but missed Maine too much. Returning home, she was hired as Language Arts teacher at the Helen S. Dunn School in Greenbush, Maine. Her unique and insightful teaching methods influenced hundreds of young minds and many former students fondly remember her as their favorite teacher. She left teaching and in 1995 volunteered for Hospice of Eastern Maine in the office and as a Pathfinders facilitator, and in 1998, became the paid Pathfinders Coordinator. Linda’s kindness, compassion, empathy, and gentle guidance helped many children, teens, families and caregivers to navigate the difficult process of grieving the death of a loved one. Linda also worked part time at Myerowitz Chiropractic Clinic for eight years until 2018. For over 20 years, she served as a member of the Maine Board of Chiropractic Licensure and she volunteered as Sunday school teacher at Pathway Wesleyan Church for several years. Linda had a wonderful and loving childhood filled with horseback riding, snowmobiling, summer camp and swimming. She learned her renowned cooking and baking skills as a child, and she made her first full Thanksgiving meal at age 12. She delighted in baking the most delicious confections, often for friends’ birthdays, but was best known for her famous, amazing chocolate chip cookies which always raised the most money at the Pathfinders Annual Dessert Auction fundraiser. Linda’s friendships spanned multiple generations, often in the same family, and many originated from childhood. She cooked for friends, watched their pets, drove them to doctors’ appointments, stayed with them during chemotherapy treatments – there was nothing that she would not do for those she loved. She had a natural ability to talk to anyone, anywhere and make strangers feel that they just had met their newest best friend. Loyal, generous, gracious and thoughtful, she exemplified the adage “treat others as you would like to be treated”. A true Bangor girl, Linda loved Frank’s Bake Shop; Tri City Pizza; breakfasts at Geaghan’s; and lunches at Kevland, Dysart’s, Oriental Jade or Longhorn Steakhouse. Favorite activities included dinners with friends, playing cards, attending concerts, seeing movies and out-of-town shopping trips (which usually included TJMaxx). Linda found peace and joy in her own backyard, feeding and watching wildlife, especially her beloved deer. Mother does would bring their fawns year after year to the safe haven that Linda created. During her lifetime, Linda loved many precious pets including Duchess, Gabe, Bear, Bootsey, Mittens, Mollie and Chloe. Linda battled countless health issues with a cheery optimism and “never be defeated” attitude. She did not complain, no matter how much pain she felt. Her determination, perseverance and quiet courage allowed her to live a life almost unstoppable. It absolutely was more important for her to think of others than to let others think of her. In 2003, Linda’s sister, Leslie, selflessly donated a kidney to Linda, allowing an angel to stay earthbound for 17 extra years. Linda believed that God and loved ones were waiting to greet her after her stay on earth. Life here was but a tiny part of a journey filled with wonderment and excitement. Linda was predeceased by her parents. She is survived by her loving family: sister, Leslie A. (Boyle) Thornhill; brother-in-law, Lester Thornhill; and nephew, Jordan Thornhill, of Greenacres, Florida. She also leaves behind several dear cousins and innumerable, heartbroken friends who feel blessed to have had her touch their lives.

A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date. Donations may be made to the Bangor Humane Society, 693 Mt. Hope Avenue, Bangor, Maine 04401.