ERICKSON, Linda

    With breaking hearts, we announce that Linda has passed away at the age of 63 after a short but courageous battle with cancer, with her loving husband Jim by her side.

    Linda is survived by her daughter Kate (Reece) Clark, treasured grandson Atticus James (A.J.) Clark, mother Georgie Chapman (Don Jepson), and sisters Leslie Elliott (Kimbal) Harty and Laura (John) Getkate.  Linda was predeceased by her father, Ron Chapman, in 2011.

    Linda was born in Edmonton and grew up in Calgary, graduating from Central Memorial in 1978.  It was at Central that the “Lakeview Girls” was formed, a group of lifelong friends that continue to have regular reunions.  She studied Television and Radio Arts at SAIT in Calgary, and in 1981 took her newly acquired knowledge to work at CKPG Television in Prince George, B.C.  In 1983, she moved to Lethbridge to work at CFCN Television as a Writer Producer, ultimately becoming Creative Director.

    That same year Linda met Jim, the love of her life, at a Lethbridge Rugby Football Club function, where Jim was an active team member.  Linda also played rugby, and together they made many lasting friends.

    In 1987, they embarked on an epic seven month backpacking adventure through parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia.  Their intent was to be married in Bali, but returned homesick (and broke), to be married in Lethbridge in July 1988.

    Newlywed, they moved to Coutts where daughter Kate was born in 1991. Linda began her career in municipal government as Deputy Mayor for the Town of Coutts, and working at the County of Warner in Economic Development. She made countless friends in her new home community; developing friendships that continue to this day.

    Linda and Jim moved to Lethbridge in 2009.  Linda gratefully received a portion of Kate’s liver in a life saving transplant in 2010.  After recovery, she continued her career in provincial and federal Economic Development, forever impacting numerous businesses and lives throughout southern Alberta.

    Linda was a colleague and mentor to many.  She was always available to lend an ear or helping hand.  Her talent was recognized often by Economic Developers Alberta.  She was the Economic Developer of the Year in 1997, and won the Gerry Gabinet Mentorship Award at the Annual Award of Excellence event in 2023.

    One of Linda’s core values was that she believed everyone should volunteer.  She demonstrated this by working on the CouttsGrass Rodeo Association, Coutts Sunday School, Coutts and Lethbridge Library Boards, Forty Niners 4H Horse Club, Milk River Doctor Recruitment Committee, Devil’s Coulee Dinosaur Museum, and London Road Community Association.

    We will all miss Linda’s incredible sense of humour and dry wit, and the way she kept everyone organized all of the time… a self proclaimed “Cecil B. DeMille”.  Her passion for gardening, daily “steps requirement”, and love of flamboyant scarves will be remembered by all.  She could lighten the mood in any room with the sparkle that she brought to this world.

    Our heartfelt thanks go out to the amazing nursing staff of the ICU and Unit 4B at the Lethbridge Regional Hospital.

    A Celebration of Linda’s Life will be held in Lethbridge on March 30, 2024 at the new Lethbridge Exhibition Centre at 11:00.  In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Canadian Liver Foundation.