Well-known Edenvale woman remembered by community

The community is in mourning, following the announcement of the death of well-known Edenvale resident and stakeholder Linda McKenzie.

Linda passed away at the age of 66 on the morning of October 26 following health complications.

According to Linda’s son and daughter, Michael and Anne McKenzie, Linda passed away after undergoing an emergency surgery that her body could not recover from.

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“It is never easy to lose a parent. Michael and I have lost both parents in the last three years, so it is difficult,” said Anne.

Linda’s husband, Ian McKenzie, whom she had known for 57 years, passed away in 2021.

Anne said the recent weeks have been an emotional and traumatic time for the family.

According to Anne, the Friday night before Linda’s death was a special evening for the family.

“We sat with Mom the whole Friday; the hospital was amazing and let us stay with her the whole time.

“Michael and his partners were on speaker phone and we all spoke as a family and that is something we’re proud of,” said Anne.

She said often the close-knit family would sit and talk together while enjoying each other’s company and playfully teasing each other.

After spending the evening with Linda, Anne said that on Saturday morning at 06:11, one of the nurses informed her that Linda’s heart rate was dropping.

“After hearing this we knew what was happening. We had it with my dad and my wife’s mom as well,” said Anne.

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“Unfortunately, it wasn’t a matter of if it was a matter of when,” said Michael.

Linda passed away at 06:24.

Anne said although her mom had passed away, she was happy that Linda was pain free and resting with Ian.

Having moved from Malvern to Edenvale 37 years ago, Linda was known for being entrenched in the community.

“Since we were young, our parents were always part of an association or committee. They were not the bystanders at the back but the chairperson or president,” said Anne.

“We were blessed to have our parents always supporting us. They were often our biggest fans and always found a way of getting involved in organisations,” said Michael.

“I think our parents’ passion for supporting the community started with their support for us and then became a love for the community. I think there was always a sense of involvement, giving, working and building and that translated into the community work.”

He said as the couple grew so did their passion to support and uplift the community.

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Anne said Linda became more involved in the community after their father’s death.

“My mom and dad were trusting to a fault and once they got involved in an organisation, it just became part of them,” said Michael.

Extending their thanks to the community, Michael and Anne thanked everyone for their support, love, and offers of assistance.

Anne and Michael urged the community to let Linda’s legacy of helping others continue to live.
“Mom was a big promoter of community spirit and was all about helping people. She would put everything aside and do the right thing,” they said.