Linda Bryden

Linda Marie Bryden (Gill), 73, passed away on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Linda was born December 24, 1949, in Bellevue, Ohio, to Harold Richard and Mary Kate Gill (Burrow). Linda lived with her parents for the first six years when her mother, Mary Kate Gill (Burrow), was killed in a car accident. Linda went on to live with and be raised by her maternal uncle Robert and aunt Lucille Burrow. Her family soon relocated to Santa Maria, California where the weather was milder.

Linda was an accomplished pianist, athlete, and cheerleader during high school. She enjoyed traveling throughout the country with her family and assisting her father in his dental office.

Linda began her college career back in her home state at Ohio Wesleyan. Like her mother, she was a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority. After a year, she transferred back to California to attend the University of Redlands. As an undergraduate, she met and later married Carlyle James Bryden. She received her bachelor's in History and English (1972), and her Master's in Education (1973), and was a member of the Pi Lambda Theta (one of the most prestigious National honor societies). Linda and Jim were blessed with two children, Carlyle Jason and Jennifer Marie.

Linda began her 47-year education career in 1973, first in California and ending in Salt Lake City. Linda's 30 years of service in the Granite School District was a point of pride. Linda enjoyed all of her roles in Education throughout the years, from teaching in the classroom to cheerleader's advisor and later a counselor. She spent 25 years as a junior high school counselor at Bonneville Junior High. Linda had a passion for all of her students and fiercely advocated on their behalf as their guidance counselor. She would often run into students when she would run errands and enjoyed being recognized and sharing memories with all of "her kids." One of her favorite memories was when her first student returned to her school as a mother. Linda retired in 2010.

Besides spending time with her friends and family, Linda enjoyed traveling, sewing, needle pointing (including a Christmas Stocking for each of her grandchildren), puzzling, playing sudoku, and cheering for the San Francisco 49ers. She enjoyed recounting her time as a volunteer during the Summer Olympics in the media center and her encounters with the news personalities. Once she retired, she enjoyed traveling, spending time with her grandchildren, and playing Bingo with her friends at the Riverton Community Center.

Linda is survived by her children Carlyle Jason (Stephanie) Bryden, Newport Beach, CA, and Jennifer Marie (Nino) Calfa, Sandy, UT; her six grandchildren, Colin and Jackson Bryden and Massimilliano, Luca, Isabella, Mia Calfa, her brother Bob (Amy) Burrow, sister Barbara (Mike) Mahoney, her nephews, and many friends.

Linda will always be remembered as a beloved daughter, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend. We will all miss her sage advice, counseling, and a great stash of chocolate for the grandkids.

A celebration of life open house will be held Friday, November 10, 2023, from 6-8 pm at Jenkins-Soffe South Valley 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway, where we invite those who knew and loved her to come and share their memories. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association.