Linda Lou Talkington

With a warm smile and a kind heart, Linda Lou Talkington lived a life rich in family and friends. A natural hostess, Linda delighted in caring for others. Whether family, friends, coworkers, or customers, Linda ensured everyone she knew was well cared for and knew they were special. Creative, talented, and so much fun, Linda loved having adventures both near and far. She navigated life with curiosity, confidence, grace, and gratitude. In so doing, she proved a powerful role model for all who were lucky enough to share time with her. A devoted daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, Linda will long be remembered and so very missed.

The mobilization of war efforts in 1942 was quick and effective, with carmakers and other manufacturers changing to the production of weapons of war. Gas rationing, Scrap Days, and Victory Gardens became the norm. At the same time, The Declaration of the United Nations, the newly formed Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, and The Voice of America ensured that every citizen had their eyes focused on a better future. Nowhere was there more hope for the future than in the hearts and home of Edwin J. and Lois (Chapman) Quick as they welcomed their daughter Linda to their family on March 4 in Muskegon, Michigan.

The youngest of the three Quick girls, Linda enjoyed the good company of her sisters, Marilyn, "Mickey" and Patricia, “Pat.” The family lived in a house on Smith Street before eventually settling into the Glenside neighborhood of Muskegon. Linda's mother, a teacher, took time off to raise her children and then returned to teaching. Her father was in the insurance business and very active in the community, serving on the Muskegon City Commission and several terms as Mayor of Muskegon. The family were active members at Central United Methodist Church, where Linda's mother sang in the choir.

The family made wonderful memories at their cottage on Little Silver Lake, just north of Twin Lake, where they enjoyed many fun family gatherings. Linda loved fishing with her father on the lake and would often awaken before sunrise to catch the family’s breakfast and cook it over an open fire. She also looked forward to Sunday night “dinners” of popcorn and a cup of milk for dunking, a tradition she and her sisters enjoyed for the rest of their lives.

Linda attended Muskegon Public Schools and graduated from Muskegon High School with the 1960 class. Following high school, she earned an English degree majoring in journalism at Western Michigan University.

After college, Linda became a flight attendant for United Airlines and settled in Chicago for a time. During those years, Linda met Frank Andrews, Vice President of Marketing at Harris Bank. After dating and falling in love, the couple married. Linda and Frank became parents in 1968 when their daughter, Laura, was born. Their family was complete when their son, Doug, came along in 1971.

Sadly, when Laura was four, she was hit by a car and wasn't expected to live. Her mother stayed by her side for ten days in the hospital until Laura thankfully and fully recovered.

Unfortunately, Linda's marriage to Frank ended in 1973, and Linda moved back to Muskegon with her children. The family settled in Hackley Village and although money was often tight Linda always made their home sparkle like it was out of a magazine. Linda was also very artistically inclined and painted big sweeping floral murals on the walls in the basement to add cheerfulness to their home and create a place of safety and refuge.

During the late sixties, Linda and her older sister, Pat Bard, started a travel agency called House of Travel, which instantly became very successful. In time, the business grew to employ 28 women, including Linda's widowed mother and middle sister, Mickey. After running the company for nearly 20 years, Linda and Pat sold House of Travel just before airline deregulation and the internet changed the landscape of the travel agent business.

In the mid-1980s, Linda met Larry Talkington, a clinical psychologist and Executive Director of the Muskegon Regional Center for Developmental Disabilities. Larry took her sailing on Muskegon Lake on their first date at which time Linda pointed out where she wanted to live…up on Pigeon Hill. After dating for several years, the happy couple married on September 2, 1988. They eventually settled into a house in the Bluffton Neighborhood of Muskegon with a wonderful deck overlooking Muskegon Lake. Linda enjoyed many fun times entertaining guests on that deck, especially when hosting her Fourth of July fireworks viewing parties.

A woman of many interests, Linda found joy in everything she pursued. Linda participated in the West Michigan Garden Club for many years, winning the top award so often that the club finally named an award after her. Linda also belonged to the Red Hat Society and the WOTs Group. Linda traveled the world extensively. In retirement, she and Larry traveled worldwide; there wasn't a country she hadn't visited! After Larry died in 2017, Linda remained active with her friends and family, living life to the fullest. She also relished spending time with her grandchildren, who affectionately called her "Nanie." For many years, Linda enjoyed writing poetry about her travels, gardens, and family.

An inspiration for all who were blessed to know her, Linda's legacy of love, generosity, and adventure will long live within the hearts and lives of those she so dearly loved. In each moment we greet a stranger as a friend, open our home to others, celebrate special events with loved ones, travel the world or explore local waters, and tend to our gardens, we keep Linda's memory alive, inspiring others as she so inspired each of us.

Linda Lou Talkington, age 82, passed away Wednesday, October 16, 2024. She was born in Muskegon, MI, on March 4, 1942, to Edwin and Lois (Chapman) Quick.

Linda is survived by her daughter, Laura (Robert) Livingston of Ann Arbor; son, Doug (Christy) Andrews of Spring Lake; grandchildren, Madeleine Livingston, Briana Andrews, Kennedy Andrews, Grace Andrews, Kaitlyn Andrews; brother-in-law, Douglas Bard; nieces, Lisa (Tom) Crady and children, Peter and Scott, and Andrea (Skip Prue) Bard and children, Samantha and Eric. Linda was preceeded in death by her parents, Edwin and Lois Quick, her sisters, Patricia Bard and Marilynn "Mickey" Biddle, and her former husband, Frank Andrews.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

There will be a memorial service on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Clock Funeral Home, with Rev. Robert Livingston officiating. VISITATION: There will be a visitation at 10 a.m. one hour prior to the service at Clock Funeral Home. A luncheon will immediately follow the service. In lieu of flowers, we request donations be made to Harbor Hospice Leila and Cyrus Poppen House of Muskegon or another helping organization of your choice. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guestbook.