A Tribute to Linda Linder, Former MOCA Board Chair and Advocate
MOCA is mourning the loss of our former Board Chair and friend, Linda Linder. Linda passed away February 28, 2024. Linda was deeply involved in MOCA throughout her 20 years surviving and thriving with ovarian cancer. She served on MOCA’s Board of Directors from 2011-2018 and in leadership roles, first as Vice Chair from 2013-15 and then as Chair of the Board from 2015-2017. She co-chaired the annual Black, White and Teal Gala for several years, bringing her style and pizazz to that signature fundraising event. Linda was an advisor and reviewer on MOCA’s nursing scholarships and educated hundreds of health care providers through MOCA’s medical education programs. Linda served as an inspiring spokesperson for MOCA in a multitude of venues and forums. She was a featured speaker in MOCA’s Living Well series on “How to Advocate for Yourself” empowering others to take charge of their care plan.
Many other ovarian cancer survivors including the “ChemoChicks” looked to Linda for her experience and wise counsel on managing the complexities of the disease, treatments, the health care system and more. She also served as a research advocate to the Mayo ovarian cancer research program (participating as recently as February 22, 2024) and as an advocate ambassador for several years, astutely lobbying for increases in research funding from Congress.
Linda had a long nursing career that included working as a hospital staff nurse and a cardiology nurse. She also worked in industry technical support, hospital management and clinic nursing. Near the end of her career, Linda returned to direct patient care and spent seven years in home and home hospice care. She also used her nursing skills on mission trips to help children in Russia and Mozambique.
MOCA is grateful for Linda’s service to our organization and her advocacy and support for women facing ovarian cancer. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, March 15, 2024 at Westwood Community Church, 3121 Westwood Drive in Chanhassen. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service.
If you would like to honor Linda’s life and legacy with a memorial contribution to MOCA, please donate here.
