Even after moving to Richmond, VA, she returned to upstate New York frequently, especially when her sons were young, making lifelong memories in a beautiful cabin by a serene lake. Stories of Thanksgiving gatherings there bring happy memories to the family.
But that is just one facet of this amazing woman, who made an impression on so many.
If you interacted with Linda more recently, in her “retired” years, you saw her passion and aptitude for ballroom dancing. What she lacked in years of experience, she made up for in tenacity and spunk and has the accolades to show for it! (She was especially proud of the mirror ball trophy she received for her performance while Dancing with the Hampton Roads Celebrity Stars in 2019.)
Over the past few years, Linda immersed herself in dance lessons with her accomplished teacher, awesome partner and valuable mentor Riccardo Pacini. She also dove into online lessons in 2020. There, she found her tribe as a part of Ina’s Army, as they are affectionately known. Led by Troels Bager & Ina Jeliazkova, World Amateur Latin Champions & Blackpool Amateur Latin Champions, the group shared her passion for dance. Linda made many friends and had wonderful experiences with her dance community, which she spoke of fondly. We know that she was dancing when she left this world on Oct. 27, 2021.
And her life encompassed so much more. Linda was a marketing genius with a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Her early marketing efforts included a unique strategy using mailing tubes promoting time share opportunities. As the Vice President Time-Share Mailing Specialists Ltd., she was once reported as saying, “You’ve got to be daring and you’ve got to be aggressive.” She was.
She carried her love of marketing and relationship building into everything that she did. She worked in advertising and public relations for many years. In addition to her hard work and many accolades, she also served as a mentor. She was always happy to share her experience, help to overcome a challenge, and offer creative ideas. She made everyone around her better for it.
She was also a loyal friend to many in the Richmond community. From her early days as one of the founders of the Women’s Bank of Richmond to later years taking classes through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Richmond, Linda was always making connections. She had a special affection for her book club friends. She spent years cheering on Coach Chuck Tester’s basketball teams and quality time with him on the golf course. She was quick to offer her beautiful home and gardens to support a good cause or to entertain. She once hosted a party attended by actress Elizabeth Taylor.
Perhaps you know Linda for her love of Christmas trees. It was once written that, “Almost overnight, the energetic ad exec morphs into the diva of fresh Christmas greenery.” Linda’s business, Season’s Greetings Christmas Trees, was a staple in Richmond for over 30 years. Linda created a holiday experience for local families by providing the best quality trees along with handmade wreaths and garland. She remembered who came by the tree lot each year and enjoyed watching families and children grow year after year. She collected unique natural elements, such as pinecones and berries, to use as elegant decorations and tied countless bows to adorn her handmade wreaths and roping.
Linda was an artist at heart. From her early days studying art education at SUNY Buffalo, you could see her artistic ability and love of art in all that she did. It infused her stunning, award-winning gardens; the Christmas trees (there were several) that she put up in her own home, intricately adorned with crystal and blown glass ornaments; and the unique and inspired New Year’s Eve table setting created for her annual party. She was also fond of seeking out nature’s wonders, perusing magnificent gardens and taking in works of art as she traveled around the world.
Linda, above all, was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother, known by her grandsons as “Meme.” When her sons were young, she could be found studying books and maps to plan their next adventure across the globe or the country, baking treats and knitting gloves and hats. As Meme, she did all the same things and enjoyed every minute.
Linda was so loved by her family. She had three sons who loved her deeply: Arden Bourgeois and his sons Ashton, Archer, Aspen and August; Collin Bourgeois and her grand dog, Lilu; and Kevin Klocke along with his wife, Dena. Her siblings and their spouses: Brent and Carol Morse; Mike and Debby Morse; Joyce and Joe Ortiz along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles “Coach Chuck” Tester, grandparents, mother, father and two brothers.
Friends and family are invited to join in her Celebration of Life on Saturday, November 20, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden (1800 Lakeside Ave., Henrico, VA 23228).
To R.S.V.P. please click on the link listed below under "Donations"
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