1954 – 2012
Linda Lentz, a beloved wife, mother, nurse, friend and volunteer in the La Crescenta and La Cañada communities, passed away Monday in Pasadena after suffering a stroke at home Saturday night. She is survived by her husband Gerry and her son Kevin.

Born Dec. 12, 1954 in Pasadena to Elizabeth and William Weber, Linda Lou Weber grew up in Altadena, attended Luther Burbank Elementary, Elliott Jr. High and Muir High School. She earned her RN at Pasadena City College and her bachelor’s degree from Chapman University.

Linda began her career as a floor nurse at St. Joseph Medical Center in 1977, later working as a nurse manager for orthopedics, and as a case manager.

Linda met Gerry Lentz on a blind date set up by friends in 1990, and they married on Aug. 3, 1991 at Pickwick Gardens in Burbank. They resided in Pasadena until 1993 when they moved to La Crescenta. Theirs was a marriage that took seriously its vows of “in sickness and in health.” She nursed her husband through a life-threatening illness.

The pride of Linda’s life was her son Kevin, a freshman at St. Francis High School. Linda spent countless hours volunteering at Mountain Avenue School, where she served on the PTA, worked as room mom and as classroom helper, becoming the “go-to mom” for teachers, staff and many parents. She continued her tradition of volunteerism at St. Francis.

Linda’s driving passion was taking care of people. It was her vocation and avocation. For many years she cooked dinner once a month at Union Station’s Altadena homeless shelter for families. Many a family in her community came to count on her generous and tireless help during illnesses or difficulties. If anyone needed something, from a second doctor’s opinion to a stick of butter, Linda would make sure they got it.

Linda loved ski trips in Park City or Mammoth, and while home cherished her time watching kids play in her pool, attending her son’s football games and hosting parties and reunions. She chronicled many a childhood and school event through her photography. When she helped assemble a slide show for her son’s sixth-grade banquet, she made sure every child was represented, tracking down newer students and taking their photographs to include in the presentation. Every child was Linda’s child.

In Linda’s final act, she donated her corneas, tissue and bone to people she could never meet.

In addition to her husband Gerry and son Kevin, Linda is survived by her mother Elizabeth Weber; her sisters Sandy Halvorsen and Cindy Mays; brother-in-law Jon Halvorsen; nieces Stacey Halvorsen and Sarah Mays; nephews Brad Halvorsen and Jamal Mays, and great-nieces and -nephews.

A private service for family members will be held Saturday. A public celebration of Linda’s life will be held May 12.

St. Francis High School is creating a scholarship fund in Linda’s name. Donations can be made to: St. Francis High School, 200 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada, CA 91011.

In her honor, donations may also be made to St. Joseph Medical Center, https://appsor.providence.org/donations/foundation.aspx or the Special Olympics, https://secure.specialolympics.org/site/c.mlIYIjNZJuE/b.5190615/k.2BD3/Donate_Now/apps/ka/sd/donorcustom.asp?BeneficiaryID=CS154.