Linda McMahon

Linda Louise McMahan arrived in the world on June 16, 1938. She was born with a deep curiosity, a love of learning and generosity, and a heart as big as her birth state of Texas.  She spent her early years in Waco, TX, then moved to Dallas where she settled, married, and had her beloved daughter, Courtney Pardue. Together they moved to Washington DC, where Linda was active in Christ Church, Georgetown, participating in charitable works and spiritual retreats both at home and abroad. She went on to live in NYC, CT, a small coastal town in ME, Paris, London, Toronto, Seattle, San Francisco, and Boston before settling into her final home in Pittsburgh to be near Courtney and her dear son-in-law, the late Kip London Bruggeman. Linda was a unique blend of the modern and the timeless. She was fiercely independent and equally fiercely gracious and kind to any and all. Those who met her quickly discovered a generous, compassionate, inquisitive woman who was at once discerning and wholly open-minded. She was completely at home at a fine hotel or sitting at a baseball game happily munching on a hot dog — and if you were anywhere near her, stranger or not, she’d make sure you had one, too! >>>> Linda came alive through her travels and found her footing as a strong and independent woman when many others might have been daunted by being alone and pulled back. She shared this love of travel, animals, adventure, and exploring new cultures with Courtney all along the way and then with Kip when he joined their family. Linda stepped forward with her characteristic courage and grace as she stalwartly faced challenges without complaint, including the loss of her eyesight, which forced her to give up reading when books had been a constant in her life, the loss of a beloved, her animal companions, and of her son-in-law, whom she adored from the moment they met. She is survived by her daughter, who is forever grateful for getting the exact mom she needed. Linda provided a road map of how to live as an independent woman on one’s own terms while always remaining open, caring, and concerned about the state of humanity and our environment, a gift so sorely needed at this moment. Linda burst forth into a world beyond us all on January 4, 2025, and in truly gracious Linda fashion, she’s likely waiting at the front door to usher us in and ensure our comfort.  A small, chilly but magical private burial held January 13 at Penn Forest Natural Burial Park will be followed by an April celebration of her life in NYC, where a larger group will be cheering her on — at a baseball game, of course! Charitable giving was of deep importance to Linda throughout her life. Beverly’s Birthdays, local food banks, and animal rescue groups were just a few of the organizations she supported, and she would all welcome memorial donations in her name should friends and loved ones wish to honor her in this way.

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