So sorry to hear of Linda's passing.  Linda and I were roommates , for a short,  while during  our Freshman Year at Stetson.
 

My Facebook Tribute:
My family and I heard the sad news this past June that our beloved kindergarten teacher, Linda Goecker, passed away due to Covid despite being fully immunized. Our hearts are completely broken for visits that we didn’t get to have…that we were waiting for to protect her knowing she was compromised. Mrs. Goecker battled cancer 3 times and won. She was a warrior. She was the heartbeat of our elementary school, Gulfport Elementary. I visited her everyday through 5th grade, I remember days in her class like they were yesterday. I remember the exact way the classroom looked, the letter people, the art station, the patio we rode our bikes on. I remember reading my first book by myself within her walls. I was a teacher for the day in 5th grade and of course chose to be with her. She came to our t-ball games, she came to all 4 of our high school graduation parties, and she came to my Master’s graduation party. She adored my parents and especially Dad’s cheesecakes which we would deliver to her home.  She made the sweetest call to my mom after Dad passed to tell her how we were the most special family she ever had in her over 30 year teaching career. When I called to tell her I would be a kindergarten teacher she had me come over to her house and she gave me the last of her teaching supplies that she still had. For ten years I have had a picture of her and I framed in my classroom and I will continue to have it there until the day I retire. She is the reason I am the teacher I am. Get vaccinated friends and still stay diligent. There are so many vulnerable people in our communities who need us to work together to end this thing. I’ll love you forever Mrs.Goecker. 

https://obituaries.neptunesociety.com/obituaries/palm-harbor-fl/linda-goecker-10222509

Linda - You were my rock when Covid lockdown started.  From your visits, shopping. Your
 special mask and your genuine concern for our welfare.

We had so many plans to cement our friendship and never had the
opportunity.

I can truly call you friend - gone too soon.
Sleep in peace, and I look forward to seeing you in GLORY.
 

Linda was an amazing kindergarten teacher at Gulfport Elementary when I first met her in the 70's.  We had a great time  with a wonderful staff that made the difficulties of teaching seem less.  We became good friends over the years and continued our friendship for 45 years.  It is so hard to think of this world without her shining eyes, spontaneous and contagious laugh and her love and caregiving to all those around her.  Her light and life are daily missed.

Aunt Linda was special. You don't need me to tell you this, but she was. It is that type of special that makes you feel safe and loved. There was never an event or important date that wasn't remembered. Aunt Linda always put the needs of others before herself and when Kyle became diagnosed she was one of the first by his side to cheer him though chemo and radiation. Her strength was so prominent that you grew stronger in her presence.  After Uncle Bob and Aunt Linda came to the hospital after the brain surgery there was a special bond and we were so fortunate that through our cancer challenges, we became closer with Aunt Linda and Uncle Bob and started seeing them more. I think Aunt Linda would want us to learn from her and be sure to put family over everything they way that she did.  Our family looks forward to celebrating her with others who also loved her deeply. 

Uncle Bob- we send big hugs. We love you. 



I met Linda about 6 years ago when I became her Mailman. She was an instant favorite customer from the start. Linda was so nice and ALWAYS had a smile on her face. I remember she would track me down towards the end of the day to give me her outgoing mail, she would say I have some more mail for you Mike.  I would be talking to Bob about their grandson who played football for Braden River High School for a while and she would come out and tell Bob to let him get back to work.
       We had lunch with Linda and Bob not long ago at the Conch Republic and she was telling us about how excited she was about meeting some friends where she's known as the "Weenie Lady".
She told us the history about how she got the nickname. Which was a hoot.
      We will miss Linda immensely, the world lost a sweet caring soul. May God bring her into his arms and give her the rewards she so justly deserves. Rest in Peace friend. Mike and Jane Hill.



Linda was one of the kindest , dearest ladies I ever knew. I met her when I was at The Springs 2 years ago recovering from surgery from a broken femur. She volunteered at our church to come and visit me. She came often encouraging me and bringing little gifts. Our friendship continued and she even made and delivered my husband and I face masks. I shall dearly miss her. We are thinking and praying for her family at this very difficult time. God Bless!

Linda and Bob quickly became our “First Friends in Florida” in August of 1970. I was assigned to teach at Gulfport Elementary. I was a homesick 21 year old, who knew nothing about teaching, and ready to go back to Indiana at my first opportunity. Linda, along with Bob, made sure Lois and I were included in a lot of activities in and out of school. Linda  encouraged my few successes at teaching, and made me believe I would survive that first year. We camped all over the state, played hours of basketball, and even went to the Smoky Mountains on a long weekend. Indiana was soon looking very boring because of all those fun experiences they arranged. Before I knew it we were enrolled in graduate school together at  USF. Two people, smarter than me, tutored me through a educational statistics course. That led to thirty and a half years in the Pinellas school system and a job I loved. We could not have asked for better friends. We are just one couple whose lives were greatly influenced and enhanced by Linda and Bob Goecker. Lois and I, like all your family and many friends, grieve the loss of our dear friend Linda. I know God blesses you with the assurance that we will all meet again in heaven!
Sincerely, Steve and Lois Bolin


Linda was a classmate and friend of mine at Sarasota High School. Class of 1959. She  was a wonderful young  woman then and although I saw her little after High School- except for  class reunions- I know of her goodness, teaching skills, love of Bob and family,  and  love of all things of life,  as told by  many others. She was indeed kind to all without hesitation and recently I  was  told by another friend, this story:  Linda had taught this friends  husband to dance because they were going to cotillion together and he had never danced. 
My heart breaks for Bob, their children, and all who knew her.She touched us all.  Dave and I pray for their peace ,moor peace and  God’s  love to surround  us all. 
There are people in our lives,  that after they are gone, we think to ourselves:  “  I wish I had  known them better.” That  is what I am feeling today about Linda. 
Lynda  Bowman  Stromberg and Dave Stromberg 

Mrs Goecker was one of the best teachers, ever. She was my first grade teacher many moons ago, then my nephew and my son's kindergarten teacher. She was a sweet, compassionate, loving woman, as well as an excellent teacher. She will be missed by many.
The Atkinson/Cottrell family

I am so sad to hear of Linda's passing.  She was so special to the O'Gradney family. Linda taught all my children and followed them to this day. She was the inspiration for our youngest daughter to become a kindergarten teacher. I last spoke to Linda in November when she called after my husband died. We talked for a long time and promised to get together but we never did. Linda was a strong, loving and beautiful woman who will forever live in our hearts. We will miss her. 
Love to all of her family. 
 Katie O'Gradney

OBITUARY

Linda Sue Goecker

March 12, 1941 – June 4, 2021

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