Linda J. Scott died peacefully of metastatic colon cancer on August 22, 2016, surrounded by family and friends. She was 61.
Linda approached her diagnosis with the same grace and tenacious optimism as she approached life. Known for her smile and caring nature, she will be deeply missed by her husband, children, and family. Never one to accept the status quo, Linda did things her way right till the end, changing the rules and doing so with a sly grin the entire way.
Linda was born on Feb. 19, 1955, to Ernest Garvin and Lillian (Gonsalves) Garvin in Oak Bluffs. She was raised during some of the most influential years of the civil rights movement, an experience she compiled into a book based on her memories, journal entries, and her family’s long history on Martha’s Vineyard. Her family will continue the work she started to complete the project.
She developed an early love of writing and photography, both of which remained important to her throughout her life. Linda graduated from the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School and remained on the Island for many years, working as a home aide and private nurse, as well as running her own childcare service. During this time, she also developed a deep and lasting love for the Lord, and became very involved with the Apostolic House of Prayer, forming a religious foundation that remained with her throughout her life.
On Oct. 19, 1986, she met her husband, Francis Scott, at the House of Prayer. It was a Sunday-night service and they recognized each other from high school. They were married on June 18, 1988, settling down in Vineyard Haven, where they raised three children.
Never someone to settle for conventions, Linda chose to homeschool all three of her children, a choice she made to better ensure they had the foundational grounding and education she wanted for them. Always a bit of a rebel, she and Francis decided to move the family to Texas and use the cross-country road trip as a learning opportunity, an experience that none of them would forget. They lived for two years in Waco and Austin, Texas, before returning to Martha’s Vineyard. During these years she returned to nursing off and on, and became more involved as an advocate for education on Martha’s Vineyard and youth in Aquinnah.
She was a devoted wife and mother who took great pride in the time she spent with her husband and children and her role as their primary educator. Linda will be remembered for her contagious smile, vibrant and upbeat personality, and quick wit. Linda’s family and friends all feel blessed and humbled to have known such a selfless and kindhearted woman.
She is survived by her husband, Francis Scott; her children Matthew Scott, Naomi Scott, and Samuel Scott; her siblings Pastor Marcia (Garvin) Buckley of Oak Bluffs, Yvonne (Garvin) Michelson and husband Richard Michelson of Oak Bluffs, Ernest Garvin and wife Denise Garvin of Idaho, and Stephen Garvin and wife Trudy Garvin of Oak Bluffs; as well as her nieces and nephews Christy Vanderhoop, Nya Clark, Joshua and Isaiah Garvin, Rebekah Sellers, Sarah Barbieri, Richard and Stephen Duarte, and Stephen, Cera and Serel Garvin.
A graveside service will be held at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Oak Bluffs, at 2 pm on Friday, August 26.
The family wishes to thank everyone for the flowers, cards, donations, and condolences. They would especially like to thank the nurses and staff at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (especially floor 5B) and the staff and volunteers from the Vineyard Nursing Association and Martha’s Vineyard Hospice for their exceptional care, support, and compassion over the past year.
In lieu of flowers, donations are requested in Linda’s honor either to the Linda J. Scott Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 2512, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568, or to the House of Prayer, P.O. Box 907, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.
