Linda Louise McMillen

Linda McMillen, 72. Our beloved mother and sister passed away on Saturday, April 11, 2020. Her diagnosis of MDS (myelodysplastic syndrome) in Dec 2016, shortened what was to be a much longer life. Born in Fort Worth, TX, Linda grew up in North Arlington, attending Nichols Junior High and Arlington High School (class of ’66). Throughout her life, Linda was passionate about helping others, singing, short wave radio, emergency preparedness and her family.

Her fondest school memories were of singing in the Colt choir directed by Miss Ellis, performing in the locally famous production of South Pacific, and making life-long friendships and connections. She continued to participate in the alumni choir and association activities for as long as she was able.

Following a Sociology degree from Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth and work as a social worker in Tarrant County, she graduated from Baylor Law School in Waco and was admitted into the Texas Bar Association in 1980. She practiced law in Arlington as a sole practitioner until her retirement. During her career, she represented many underserved populations who needed family law advice, including a stint a Texas Legal Aid, both as a volunteer and as a staff attorney. Her favorite cases involved adoptions where she loved to see deserving children matched with devoted parents.

In her later years, her favorite pastimes included singing with the Sweet Adeline’s, traveling, short wave radio club, volunteering in the emergency management office, certifying future emergency volunteers through training, running monthly tornado siren tests, being a weather spotter for North Texas, attending church and singing in the church choir. She continued to be an advocate for those who had no voice until the end.

A menagerie of animals always surrounded her as she was known to have had dogs, cats, chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters. She was also a loving fur-mom to countless strays and woodland creatures and often rescued elderly or ill cats and dogs to ensure they had the best life she could give them. Caring about and for her neighborhood strays was an unending devotion.

Last fall, after a lifetime of wanting to live near mountains, her daughter and son-in-law offered her an opportunity to move to Albuquerque. She loved sitting in her apartment overlooking Sandia Peak, watching the radio antennas in the day and the restaurant lights at night and knowing that her family was just on the other side of the ridge. Although her retirement center was on lockdown the last few weeks, she took solace in feeling connected through the mountain.

Linda was preceded in death by her mother and father, Helen and Jim McMillen. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Heather McMillen and Dan Daniel; sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Richard Brett and their children and grandchildren; and brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Kathy McMillen. She will be missed terribly. Her indomitable spirit will live on in each of us.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please donate to your local blood bank or give a charitable gift to those in need. This was her last request and we thank you for helping.