Peacefully, surrounded by her family, Mrs. Linda Anne Hollands passed away on May 5, 2024. She was 63 years of age. 

Linda will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 39 years Neil, and two sons: Eric and Kyle. 

A celebration of Linda’s life will be held on Saturday, May 25, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Spruce Grove Alliance Church, 250 Century Road, Spruce Grove, AB. Please wear casual and colourful attire. 

 A garden party reception will be held following the service. If you planning on attending,  you are encouraged to bring a flowering plant (4’ pot) to be planted in Linda’s memorial garden. 

If friends so desire memorial donations may be made to the Pilgrims Hospice Society https://pilgrimshospice.com/get-involved/make-a-donation/ or to the Alberta Cancer Foundation https://albertacancer.ca/donate/

Linda was born to Joe and Stefi Karasin on September 1, 1960 in Regina, Saskatchewan. She grew up in Regina and spent every summer at the family cottage at Regina Beach, with her brothers, Ron and Brian, and their parents. In her teen years, she developed a strong, personal faith in Jesus that guided her life’s journey as a joyful, compassionate, and loving woman.

After high school, she met a young man in Saskatoon who became her closest companion and lover for the rest of her days. Linda said “Yes” to Neil Hollands in Waterton National Park, and later said “I Do” on May 25, 1985. Over the next 39 years of marriage, she made their home with Neil in six communities across 3 provinces and territories, along the way giving birth to and raising two wonderful boys who she adored.

Wherever their journey led them, Linda would settle in and connect to those around her. She was quick to make friends and went above and beyond to make people feel welcome. Linda loved feeling comfortable and made efforts to ensure everyone else felt that way as well. She was ever an active member of her local church, and organized events for other mothers and families including Mom’s Morning Out, potlucks, children’s clothing sales and co-led a multi-generational mission trip to Costa Rica.

In addition to church activity, Linda held annual Christmas bake exchanges wherever she worked. For years, she and Neil helped lead the local Beaver and Cubs Scout groups that Eric and Kyle joined. As her boys grew, her home was always an open and welcoming place for their friends, hosting youth groups, dance parties, and more recently Dungeons & Dragons campaigns.

Linda’s passions primarily included reading, crafting and gardening – things she also cultivated into her family. Each of her homes had a designated craft room, and she would go all-in on whichever craft held her current interest. She made many beautiful things out of cross-stitch, ceramics, folk art, and diamond painting. Linda developed an even deeper passion for gardening and landscaping. She became a certified Prairie Horticulturist and spent a decade working in various greenhouses and garden centres. But Gardening for the sheer pleasure of it was her true heaven on earth, creating a paradise in every one of her yards with their current home being the crowning achievement. She adored caring for plants and loved sharing the joy they brought her with neighbours, friends and family.

Linda and Neil found a mutual love for travel. In later years they travelled further and longer, usually to hot, tropical places. Linda adored the sun, sea and beach, as well as exploring different cultures and foods. She fell in love with Hoi An, Vietnam where she and Neil returned several times, often with friends who Linda convinced to come along and see why she loved it there.

In 2021, Linda was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. But it did not stop her from doing what she loved; planting a vibrant garden, doting on her children, loving her husband plus visits to family in Saskatchewan, winter escapes to Mexico and a mega road trip around the continent. In the end, despite impossibly difficult circumstances, Linda managed each day with grace and dignity, and made her final journey at peace with her loved ones, her life, and her God.