It was 1986, the day I walked into the office of Alameda Elementary School. I was there to enroll our two youngest children, grades 1 and 2 at the time. That was the day I met Linda Kennedy for the first time, with her friendly smile and positive demeanor she expressed such a loving concern towards our two young children, who were at the time coming to a new city and new school. The truth is, I believe Linda eased my fears more so than my children, she turned out to be my savior; little did I know she would one day be by boss.
I quickly got involved in P.T.A. and was a regular at the school. I’d observe this tiny woman turn into a tiny woman with such strength and authority, “walk small and carry a big stick” someone told me once; that was Linda.
Linda moved on to become Principal at Ward Elementary and our children moved on to South Middle School. One day, I got a call from her asking if I would be interested in taking a job as a substitute Instructional Assistant at her school, which I quickly accepted.
I eventually got a permanent position working with her in the school office. It was then I was introduced to her mom Lou – I immediately saw where Linda inherited her beauty, strength and class.
I moved on to the District Office, and Linda soon followed as Director of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction, so once again, I had the honor of working with her once again.
Following her retirement from Downey Unified, we’d often run into each other at the YMCA, where we both enjoyed working out and it was always such a pleasure to catch up with one another, she always, without fail, asked about our two children, now adults with children of their own.
It was Linda that brought me into the DUSD family and for that I will forever be grateful, but most importantly, it was the friendship we developed and the respect she always showed that I will treasure the most. She was such a beautiful person and will I will truly miss her.