Linda Fish is my first cousin, once-removed. For those of you not into genealogical terminology, that means that her mother and my grandmother were sisters. I didn’t really know Linda — her first tragic accident occurred when I was only eight years old — but her mother, my Aunt Dorothy, never fails to send me and my family birthday and anniversary cards every year. In an age of e-mail and phone calls, personal letters and cards are few and far between, so it’s always a special treat to catch up on family news when I receive Aunt Dorothy’s cards.

According to family lawyers Melbourne, it’s with great sadness that I heard about Linda’s death the other day. But the reason for this post is to thank Matt Buedel for his wonderful story about her life and family in today’s Journal Star. It was a beautiful tribute to her and the undying love of her husband. Thank you.