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Note: Linda Ann (THURSTON) McAFEE, aged 57, a resident of Ocala, Florida, crossed over peacefully to be with the Lord on Sunday, 4 December 2011 after a very short stay at �Legacy House�, Hospice of Marion County, Ocala, Florida. Linda is now finally pain-free and at peace. She crossed over after 27 years of ever increasing complications due to diabetes and heart disease. Linda was a fighter to the end and never gave up hope. Linda was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 12 March 1954, a daughter of the late Howard Robert Thurston and the late Dorothy Joan (Stauss) Thurston. She spent her childhood growing up in Philadelphia and was instrumental in raising her younger sisters. Linda�s favorite childhood pastimes were ice-skating, going to the movies and reading. Linda was a graduate of Roxborough High School, Class of 1971, and was a �Twirler� while in high school�twirling her batons second to none at various sporting events ! During her senior year of high school Linda began her working career as a clerk-stenographer with the Pennsylvania Dept of Welfare. Linda married her 1st husband, Dale Theodore Robb in Philadelphia on 24 June 1972. They were later divorced. She married the current love of her life, Jeffrey Alvin McAfee, of Berwick, Pennsylvania on 27 February 1997 in Pembroke Pines, Florida. After much thought, reading and studying Linda yearned to become �born-again� and did so 31 December 2006 as a member of the Central Church of Christ in Ocala, Florida. Linda worked most of her adult life in the field of Human Resources for the Federal Civil Service where she held various positions in Civilian Personnel. Linda began her civil service career with the Navy at the Pearl Harbor Naval Base, Hawaii in 1976 and was promoted several times while working there. Additionally, Linda worked for the Air Force at Vandenberg AFB, Lompoc, California and Malmstrom AFB, Great Falls, Montana. Linda always sacrificed her professional position as her husband was reassigned to the various bases and would have to start her career all over again after moving. Linda took this in stride at the time and had to prove herself all over again, resulting in several promotions and advancements due to her knowledge, skill and abilities. Over the years Linda earned numerous awards and accolades for her outstanding work performance. Linda was an avid reader, enjoyed going out to the movies, bowling (at the alley and the video game!), various video games and visiting her favorite restaurants. Linda loved her �Soaps� and was an avid voyeur of �Days of our Lives� �and was a fan of �The Young and the Restless� since its� debut in 1966. Linda loved all of God�s creatures; especially her �puppy� �Sheena�. The Sheena-Girl lived to be 15 because of her Mommy�s wonderful care and love. Additionally, Linda saved two 5-week old kittens from certain death by a hotel maid who was going to flush them down the toilet in 1972. �Sonny� and �Cher� she named them and they lived to be 20 and 15 respectively because of their Mommy�s wonderful care and love. Linda displayed a keen interest in science, science fiction and astronomy. Linda enjoyed the �Star Trek� franchise, both the various TV series and all the motion pictures. Her favorite character was Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Captain of the U.S.S. Enterprise (NCC-1701-D for all you Trekkers). Linda and her then husband Dale travelled to the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California expecting to see whales in captivity after they saw �Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home� and imagine their astonishment to learn there were NO whales in captivity ANYWHERE in the world! It wasn�t funny at the time but they were able to laugh about it years later. Linda�s interest also extended to other areas of the unknown�such as whether there is a �12th planet� named Nibiru�what 21 Dec 2012 will bring�and whether life exists somewhere other than Earth�questions Linda is just now finally finding the answers to. �Auntie Lyn� was instrumental in the lives of two of her nephews; Anthony Marro and Roger LaCourse. She was always there for them from the day they were born�right up until her crossing over�whether to congratulate them, praise them or chastise them when necessary. They always consulted with their Auntie Lyn and sought out her sage advice. Both are better men for Auntie Lyn having been in their lives. Linda was also the main care-taker for her mother for many years after her mother became disabled and bed-ridden. Linda is survived by her husband Jeff, of Ocala, Florida. Also surviving are two sisters; Cindy Jean Mock, Ocala, Florida; Dorothy Joan Thurston, South Carolina; and a brother Gary Lee Thurston, Philadelphia, Pa.; and nephews Anthony Marro, Virginia; Roger LaCourse, New York. Linda is also survived by four half-sisters; Cheryl DiGiorgio, Philadelphia, Pa; Marie Elena Thurston, Darlene Piccola and Kim Martin, all of Daytona Beach, Florida and numerous other nieces and nephews in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Montana and Florida. Linda is also survived by her close friend of so many years, Sabrina Marie Robb, Ocala, Florida. A local memorial service and celebration of her life was held 10 December 2011 at the Central Church of Christ, Ocala, Florida with Rev. Colin Williamson officiating. A memorial service and celebration of Linda�s life will be held 14 April 2012, at the Calvary United Methodist Church, 1135 Orange St., Berwick, PA 18603. Linda�s cremains will be laid to rest at the Rose Lawn Cemetery, Berwick, Pennsylvania immediately following the service. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, are suggested in her name to www.kidsgotocamp.com, the American Diabetes Association or a charity of your choice.
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