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302-478-7100 Wilmington & Hockessin, DE

Linda Cannon Surmacz

Linda Cannon Surmacz, age 68, of Lincoln, Delaware (formerly of Fair Hill, MD), passed away peacefully at Johns Hopkins Hospital, on Monday, July 10, 2023 surrounded by family following a long illness. She was born in 1955, and originally from North Huntingdon, PA, she was the daughter of the late Robert D. and Melvina Ruhama Cannon.

Linda was a retired physical therapist, working numerous years in Newark, DE, and later in Dover, DE. She was an avid dog trainer, belonging to many clubs, where she made countless friends from all over the country. She often traveled to compete with her labrador retrievers in a multitude of dog training events, including obedience, tracking, dock diving and many others. She was very talented, earning titles for her dogs in varying fields of competition. Linda trained with the Wilmington Kennel Club for many years, and also taught obedience classes. After moving to Delaware, she trained with Delmarva Dock Dogs. She was a founding member of the First State Retriever Club, where she served as the secretary and treasurer.

She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, and especially training her labrador retrievers Ike and Reba, as well as the late Kona, and Bo.

Survivors include her husband of 45 years, Edmund Surmacz, as well as children Bobby Surmacz (Jen) of Rising Sun, MD, Rebecca Magelitz of Alexandria, VA, and Sandy Surmacz (Mike) of North East, MD. She is also survived by many extended family members, including aunts, uncles, and cousins, as well as her many friends.

She will be remembered for her infectious joy for life, her caring treatment of others, and the love she had for everyone in her life. She will be fondly remembered by everyone who knew her.

A celebration of life service for family and friends will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to one of Linda’s treasured dog clubs: First State Retriever Club, 12613 Hunters Cove Road, Greenwood, DE 19950, Delmarva Dock Dogs: ℅ Wendi Chapman, 1131 Walnut Street, Honey Brook, PA 19344 or    Wilmington Kennel Club, 2305 Sunset Lake Road, Newark, DE 19702.

Funeral Services

A celebration of life service for family and friends will be held at a later date.

Condolences

    Frank and Dolly Santore writes,
    We are so sorry to hear this very sad news. Our condolences to friends and family. She will be missed by many. We hope that you find Peace in all the memories that you have and were fortunate to share. With heavy hearts ❤️ Frank & Dolly Santore
    07/12/2023 06:58 pm
    Sharon M Albright lit a candle and writes,
    I'm heartbroken to hear of Linda's passing. We trained and competed together in obedience and hunt tests in the Delmarva region. She was always helpful and cheerful, a great dog trainer, and did a lot of work for the clubs to which she belonged. I smile thinking of the wonderful times we spent with our dogs. My condolences to Linda's entire family.
    07/12/2023 07:23 pm
    Rene and June Kaptein writes,
    Our sincere condolences to the family. We met Ed & Linda 41 years ago on a Caribbean cruise and kept in touch via Christmas cards ever since. May you treasure all your precious memories of her.
    07/12/2023 07:28 pm
    Barry Gunning writes,
    I met Linda about 9 years ago when I started an obedience class with a young Labrador, named Bruce. Linda was unfailing kind, and had the most positive attitude of anyone I’ve ever met. She was one of those special people that just didn’t have a mean bone in her body. I spent many days training with Linda, and there are no words to describe how much I will miss her. The last time we trained together I helped her introduce her young dog Reba, to retrieve on water. After about 20 minutes of work, we had Reba swimming like a champ. I will hold that memory close, and will always remember that smile she had watching young Reba learn. Linda my friend, you will be missed.
    07/12/2023 07:48 pm
    Mari Grehofsky writes,
    Linda was the person who welcomed me into First State Retriever Club. She vouched for me when I became a member. My sister came to a training session and of course Linda sat with her and explained all of the working dog idiosyncrasies to her, as she had done for me when I first joined. She was a kind, inclusive and welcoming person and you never felt awkward or out of place in her presence. When she spoke with you she gave you her full attention. I admired her and I was always delighted to see her. Blessings to everyone who feels this tremendous loss. Linda has left a beautiful legacy and she has inspired all of us to follow her wonderful paradigm.
    07/12/2023 08:48 pm
    Joyce Crummy Galla writes,
    Linda and I were childhood friends and classmates. Growing up in the same neighborhood across the street we played hours with our Barbies.. We were in the Norwin High Band and have so many funny memories. Her smile and kindness was infectious and to kennel club friends and her family i send my condolences and prayers ….she was a very special woman and will be missed by all.
    07/12/2023 09:24 pm
    Veronica writes,
    My deepest condolences 🥀🕯
    07/12/2023 11:24 pm
    Cornelia Heckenbach writes,
    My sincere condolences to the family! I have so many fond memories from obedience trials and hunt trials - we connected thru the dog world and our love for labs. Linda was always kind and positive . I am very sad to hear that she left this world. May the family find peace in all the wonderful memories they share
    07/13/2023 12:37 am
    Esther Stieska writes,
    I am so sorry Linda is no longer here in body. She was such an encouraging instructor.The dog community will hugely miss her. I can remember watching her compete about 10 years ago with her beloved Bo. They qualified, but did not turn any heads. Linda loved her pup up, encouragingly and consistently without regret.She was a role model in how to treat your dog and how to treat the humans. Linda was High in this Trial of Life.
    07/14/2023 12:25 am
    Debby Kay lit a candle and writes,
    Linda and I shared many laughs at dog trials. Her smile and joyful outlook was something I looked forward to at each event and something I will miss. Hail and farewell Linda, you were one of the good ones.
    07/14/2023 05:37 am
    Charlene J Bortz writes,
    Oh my. I am so sorry to hear about Linda's passing. Prayers for family, friends and medical personnel. I don't think I ever saw her without a smile! May her family lean on Him at this sad time.
    07/15/2023 09:08 am
    Karen Rowntree writes,
    Linda and I were good friends from our Russell Sage College days both majoring in physical therapy. We spent a lot of time with other PT students and supported one another through school. I remember when we were introduced to our cadavers and nervously started to perform our semester long dissections: Linda, without qualms, volunteered to make the first cut, making it easier on the rest of us. We named the cadaver “AbbaCadaver”,, so clever!? The last 18 months a group of us lived in “townhouses “ near Albany Medical School and travelled back and forth to Troy NY in my large 1966 Plymouth. The rides were fun and usually we were heading to a fun event on campus. The group became very close in our shared studies and laughter. I do remember well Linda’s confidence, go-to-it attitude and ever ready beautiful smile!! We particularly enjoyed Rally Day when the classes competed against each other, making Blue Angel banners, sleeping on fire escapes and performing a production with a theme… happy memories! My husband photographed us for the yearbook and that photo will remain with me……Linda and I stayed in touch over the years with Christmas letters until recently and Facebook messages. I and the Sage community mourn her passing but celebrate her life, which we were lucky to be part of. God bless our Blue Angel! Karen Jackson Rowntree!
    07/15/2023 10:59 am

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