Linda Carolyn Beaton (née Evans)
July 9, 1936 – November 1, 2024
Linda passed peacefully on November 1, 2024, at McCormick Home in London, Ontario, with the love of her family surrounding her. Linda had bravely faced Parkinson’s Disease for 35 years with exceptional courage, hope and determination—only succumbing to its afflictions when it was time for her journey to continue in another realm.
Linda was the beloved wife of Dr. W. Douglas Beaton and the cherished mother of their 4 children: Douglas (Sarah), Lesley (John), Heather (Martin), Iain (Jennifer). She was the loving grandmother of 10 grandchildren: Jack, Dan, Abby; Harrison, Graham, Campbell; Jeremy, James; Kate and Kim. She was the dear sister of Janet Clarke and her husband Peter; and the sister-in-law of the late Campbell and Mary Beaton.
Linda was born on July 9, 1936, in Toronto, Ontario, to Dr. and Mrs. James D. Evans. She grew up in Lawrence Park where she attended Havergal College and Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute. She graduated from Victoria College at the University of Toronto in 1958, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Household Science. Ever sporty, she played on the Victoria College baseball, basketball and volleyball teams and was crowned ping pong champion in 1957. Her serve was unreturnable!
Linda met her husband, Doug, in their Grade 11 Latin class. Linda was beautiful, intelligent, classy, and also fun and athletic. She had dark brown eyes and a bright smile. Doug was smitten and he pursued Linda at a Valentine’s Day Party in 1953. His charm and humour prevailed and their high school courtship turned into a loving marriage of 64 years. They were married in Toronto in 1960, after Doug’s graduation from Dentistry at the University of Toronto. As newlyweds, they moved to Gowganda and Temagami in Northern Ontario, where they lived and worked in a Canadian Junior Red Cross dental trailer. After an adventurous year, they moved back to Toronto where Doug opened his dental practice in Lawrence Park, and they started their family. After 10 years in Toronto, and with 2 young children and a baby, they moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, where Doug attended the Graduate Orthodontic Program at the University of Manitoba. Upon graduation in 1973, Linda and Doug moved to London, Ontario, where Doug set up a successful orthodontic practice and they welcomed their fourth child.
Linda had a calm and dignified presence, and was a solid foundation for her family. She was quiet in nature, authentic, independent, had a good sense of humour, and when she spoke it had meaning. Her constant strength, support and loyalty created a loving and fun family life in which her husband and children flourished. She was very proud of them.
Linda loved time with family including: March Break trips to Florida, Christmas holiday ski trips, cottaging in Grand Bend and later in Muskoka, and summer travelling.
Linda’s interests were wide: reading, art, jazz music, enjoying nature, wildflowers, bird watching (goldfinches, cardinals and hummingbirds were favourites), knitting, quilting, crocheting, needlepoint, embroidery, macrame, sewing, baking, antiquing, taking courses and selling her wares at the Grand Bend flea market to further her entrepreneurial spirit, cross-country skiing, golfing, tennis, biking, skating, playing games, crossword puzzles, euchre, and always winning at cribbage.
She found particular fulfillment by volunteering at The London Regional Art Gallery, Meals on Wheels, Metropolitan United Church, and Victoria and University Hospitals.
Linda was modest and she never took her life for granted. She did not shy away from hard work and she was a constant inspiration to her family. Although her life was challenging the last number of years, her optimism and hope never faded. She always faced her future with grace. She was a remarkable woman and her family will love her forever.
Linda’s family appreciates and gives thanks to the entire team at McCormick Home for their excellent care and support.
A private family service will be held at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Parkinson Society Southwestern Ontario or McCormick Care Foundation would be appreciated.