Canton Obituary: Linda Driggs, 77

Linda Jane McKay Driggs, died on November 8 after a valiant struggle with metastasis breast cancer. She is the daughter of the late Muriel Ashford and John C. McKay.

Born on December 22, 1938 in Hartford, she lived in Wethersfield prior to moving to Simsbury. A graduate of Simsbury High School class of 1957, she had lived in Collinsville since meeting and marrying her husband of 58 years, Walter R. Driggs, who has been a great source of love, strength, support and courage during her last journey.

She was employed by Connecticut General Life Insurance Company in both Hartford and Bloomfield. After raising three daughters, she returned to work in 1969-70 to become the first secretary to the newly developed Pupil Personnel Services, Special Education Department for the Town of Canton until her retirement in 2000.

Besides her husband, Walter, she leaves three daughters, Susan (Driggs) Ewing and husband, Richard F. Ewing of Everett, WA, Jennifer Driggs (Thomas Reardon of Canton/Avon) and Nancy (Driggs) Green and husband, Willard B. Green, III of Burlington, six grandchildren; Rachael, Olivia and Eileen Ewing, Wesley Driggs, Frederick and Margaret Green and two brothers, David A. McKay of Simsbury and Robert McKay.

Nothing gave Linda more happiness than when her family gathered around her, either at her dining room table or at the beach house in Madison. They were a great source of happiness, strength and joy in her life. She was blessed to have many close friends throughout her life and was grateful to them for their love and support especially over the last few years.

Some of her volunteer activities included: Charter member of the Canton Civic Women’s Club, serving the Republican Town Committee, teaching Sunday School, Girl Scout leader, member of the Canton Benefits Production, working at the CT State Republican Headquarters, American Red Cross Blood Mobile, The CT Opera, serving on the Inaugural committee for President Ronald Reagan, President of the American Field Service, Canton Chapter and serving as President of AFSCME (School Secretaries) AFL-CIO Local 1303-304 Council #4.

The family would like to thank Dr. Satash Singh for his incredible medical knowledge and support, and the staff at St Francis Cancer Center and The Woman’s Infusion Center for the loving care provided to Linda by Dr. Z Rahman, Vidya, Bonnie, Nella and Julie, who all provided much comfort and friendship.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 12th at 1 p.m. in the First Church of Christ, 689 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury.

In lieu of flowers, Linda would like you to take the hand of your loved one or someone special in your life and walk along the water’s edge at the beach at sunset to enjoy the beauty and feel the gratitude of the day. Or if you wish, make a memorial contribution in Linda’s name to help erect a CCC Statue in CT. (CFPA 16 Meriden Road, Rockfall, CT 06481 – CT CCC Statue Project must be noted in the memo field on the check) Or make a contribution to the Iwo Jima Living Memorial Historical Foundation, New Britain, CT.