Linda Lee Paddock

ABINGTON, Ind. – Linda Lee Paddock, died peacefully in her home Friday, May 10, 2013, surrounded by her family after a short struggle with cancer. Linda was born to Lowell Wissler Pate and Lena Louise Hancock Pate Howell, both deceased, in Wayne County, Indiana, on December 15, 1941. Linda graduated in 1959 from Centerville High School and married her husband, William E. Paddock, on December 21, 1963. Survivors include her husband of almost 50 years; her four children, Eberly F. (Terri) Paddock, Shirley L. (Greg Riffe) Paddock, Shelley J. (Byron) Paddock Davis, and Sheila J. Paddock Hartman; three nephews who were like her children, Mark A. (Amy) Conley, Shawn A. (Teresa) Conley, and William J. (Chelsea) Buchanan; two brothers, L. Eugene Pate and Garry D. Pate; nine grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Ruth E. Pate Conley Buchanan. Linda spent her life in the service of others and was very active in her local community of Abington, Indiana. For years she was a member of the Abington Township Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and ultimately became a volunteer firefighter and EMT. She is a past secretary of the Wayne County Fire Fighters Association. As a life-long member of the Abington Christian Church, Linda was involved in many activities throughout the years, including leading youth programs, serving as church camp counselor, teaching Sunday school, and playing the piano during Sunday services. Inspired by her faith, Linda journeyed to the Holy Land in 1973 and published a book of her experience in Israel entitled “A Journey with Jesus” and donated all proceeds to the Oriental Mission Society. Linda had a passion for food and the central role it played in family and fellowship. Her love of baking inspired her to start a cake baking business in the mid 1970’s, after which she won several regional cake decorating competitions. She will be remembered by many as the “Cake Lady.” In addition to her wonderful cake creations, Linda and her husband, Bill, own the Abington General Store where Linda ran a catering and baking business until her death. Somehow in her spare time she compiled and published a book of family and friends’ recipes called “A Taste of Memories.” Linda loved to write about her many experiences throughout her life and shared many of those in her weekly “Odie’s Corner” column in the Western Wayne News which focused on the central role that food plays in our daily lives. In addition to baking and cooking, Linda had a passion for art and took art lessons later in her life and went on to compete in many local artist competitions under the direction of her mentor, Thelma Frame. Linda will be missed by all of her family and friends and those lives whom she touched through the many attributes of her life. A celebration of life for Linda Lee Pate Paddock will be from 6 to 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, 2013, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond, with a special celebration program beginning at 7:00 p.m. Please bring your stories of Linda to share. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at Abington Christian Church, 6775 Abington Pike, Abington, with Rev. Bud Parrish officiating. Burial will be in Abington Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: Abington Christian Church, 6775 Abington Pike, Abington, IN 47330; Abington Township Fire Department, 4618 Pottershop Road, Abington, IN 47330; or Abington Historical Society, 11761 Darsley Drive, Fishers, IN 46037. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Linda Lee Paddock

December 15, 1941 - May 10, 2013