Obituary of Linda Tacey Nevitte

Linda Tacey Nevitte passed peacefully into Spirit at her home in Sterling, Virginia, on March 29, 2012, surrounded by family and friends. She is survived by her husband, Reverend Stephen H. Duncan, and his children, Larissa Duncan and husband Ender Tekin, of San Francisco, California, Sumitra Duncan, of Brooklyn, New York, and Adam Duncan, of Morgantown, West Virginia. Linda is also survived by her sister Robin Smith and husband Robert, and their children Katherine and Sandra of Tolland, Connecticut; her brother Stephen Tacey and his wife Wendy, and their daughter, Jordan, of Newton, Massachusetts; and her sister Julie Tacey, of Vernon, Connecticut. She will be missed by her Uncle Eugene O'Brien and his wife, Jean, of Saratoga, New York, and their daughter Nancy Mathews and husband Scott, and their son Gregory Wichser, of Glens Falls, New York; Kathleen O'Brien of Galway, New York; and son Eugene O'Brien (Buzz), his wife Susan, and their sons, Brendan and Mark of Monroe, New York. Linda will also be missed by the many very special and dear friends whom she remained close with throughout her life. Linda was born in Albany, New York and grew up in Melbourne, Florida. She had smarts and initiative and was accomplished. She received her Bachelor's Degree from the University of Florida, where she was a member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and of the Delta Gamma Sorority. She earned a Master's Degree in Hospital Management and worked in nursing home administration for a while, one of the numerous ways in which Linda sought to serve those in need. However, the bureaucracy wasn't satisfying so she moved on. Linda also worked as a clown for a while, bringing many smiles and much laughter to others. Linda was fun to be around with witty sense of humor and openness. Linda enjoyed music and singing although her friends encouraged her to pursue her other talents such as hammer dulcimer and Contra dancing. Although her mother was an artist, Linda's artistry was applied to her surroundings rather than paper - color applied nail and toe and garden to bedrooms. Fresh out of college, Linda attended the Pan American Airlines School and became an international stewardess. She loved travel and visited many countries and states. Later she went on to work for several technology and software companies, and most recently as Senior Regional Sales Manager for Deltek Corporation. Linda was a dedicated member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Sterling from 2008-2012, where she served on the Membership Committee and as an usher and greeter. Linda volunteered with the Reston Interfaith Employment Assistance Group where she shared her experience as a professional woman fighting discrimination against women. She was also victorious in one special effort that resulted not only in her victory but also in improving working conditions for women everywhere. Linda was an avid gardener and loved all living things; she shared a great love of horses with her husband Stephen. She was especially passionate about recycling and composting and she spent many pleasant days on her screen porch sharing the abundant beautiful plantings in her yard while visiting with her many close friends. Linda, a proponent of "Service Above Self," was a member of the Rotary Club of Reston since 1995, serving a term in 1999 as Director of Community Service, and was elected Vice President and then President for the 2001-2002 year. Under her guidance and leadership, the Rotary Club was awarded the Rotary District 7610 Presidential Citation for Balance Club Achievement. She participated as an active member by chairing projects such as Adopt a Highway, Relay for Life, and Monte Carlo Night. She was also instrumental in arranging a popular local dance orchestra for the Senior Prom, sponsored by the Reston and Herndon Rotary Clubs, for those living in retirement homes in the area. Linda was named a Paul Harris Fellow by The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International in appreciation of the tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world. A Celebration of the Life of Linda Tacey Nevitte will be held on Saturday, April 14th, at 11 o'clock in the morning, at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax, 2713 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton, VA. Linda loved fine wine and dining and in that spirit, and since her illness prevented her from eating for over fifteen months without even one complaint, food and refreshments will be served. Those wishing to share a few words about their memories with Linda should contact Reverend Anya Sammler- Michael at 703-731-9018. Attendees to the Celebration are invited to bring a flower that they feel represents Linda's beauty, grace, or a particular memory that they cherish of her life. Donations in Linda's memory may be made to the Rotary Club of Reston or to the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation. Friends That Plant Kindness Gather Love