Linda and Barry were a dynamic couple. We met them in Cairo and we travelled with them thoroughly enjoying every moment. She was an incredible educator and warm kind friend. She will be missed dearly.

Sending much Love with sincere condolences to the family. Valdine and Barry.

How could I even begin to capture what a difference Linda made in the lives of those whom she interacted with? Somehow words cannot express her impact on everyone who had the opportunity to be touched by her love of education, learning and what is right and good.

Linda was a strong advocate for what she believed in challenging systems that needed to see things from a different perspective. She led with heart and passion for education, particularly advocating for French language programming. She was a trailblazer in Assiniboine South/Pembina Trails for the expansion of the French Immersion program ensuring that students were at the centre of educational decision making.

I fondly remember late night strategy sessions at her dining room table to advance this important work in the school division. She was fearless in challenging systems for the benefit of students, parents and educators always leading with heart and passion for the value of educational practice that empowered best practices in second language learning. Through our interactions I learned many life lessons about how to support learners, their parents and the teachers and leaders entrusted with their education. I could always count on Linda to thoughtfully approach situations with an alternative perspective helping our teams to lean in to doing what was right and good.

Linda was always up for an adventure and openly shared her family with those of us lucky enough to be in her circle. I remember with fondness interacting with Barry, Brent and Nikki over the years.

Later on I had the opportunity to visit her in her beautiful Cape Breton home. As always she was the hostess who embraced our visit with joy and adventure. Who knew that you could drive that fast on country roads?! Linda did!!!

While Linda is no longer with us, fond memories of our adventures will remain in our hearts.

Perhaps the stars in the sky are openings where the love of our lost ones shines through to let us know that they are happy. So the next time you look up at the sky, think of the fond memories that you shared with Linda. I know that I will.

Sharing caring thoughts and deep sympathy with Brent, Nikki and your families.

Warm hugs and love,

Deb Radi (Abraham)

I will miss the kindness and advice Aunt Linda always had for my sister and me. She had such knowledge and was always willing to share it. During my first semester of university, I was considering dropping a class after a particularly hard midterm, and she was the first person I called for advice. She was so kind, supportive, and realistic.

The fact that my sister and I did French immersion schooling growing up was solely because she convinced my mother that we would be successful in it and that we would benefit from it in the future, something I still so grateful for today. In every conversation throughout my life, she was so attentive and present, and as a young person who often felt unheard, it was something I didn’t realize I needed so greatly until much later in life.

Her stories of travel and adventure inspired my desire to learn about the world, and one day I hope to visit even half the places she had been.

I will miss her greatly, and my deepest condolences go out to all those whose lives she touched.

I will miss the wonderful wisdom and advice from Auntie Linda. I always enjoyed her chats and stories of adventure. She was incredibly proud of her children and even more proud of her grandchildren. She lived her life to the fullest and was a true inspiration. Miss you and love you forever ❤️

Laurie, Jackson and Morgan Wells

Rob, Justin and Ashton Cobean

Linda taught me to embrace life fully and to never stop chasing the dreams on my bucket list, no matter my age. She reminded everyone around her that family is the heart of life, and she lived that truth every single day through her incredible love and dedication to her grandkids. Even though I wasn’t part of her family by blood, from the moment I met her 16 years ago, she made me feel like I was. She became the Canadian grandma to my daughter—a constant source of warmth, laughter, and those perfectly timed hugs that always seemed to come when I needed them most. Linda had a beautiful way of bringing joy into any moment, making us laugh even through life’s hardest times. We loved her deeply and will miss her every single day. I can just imagine her in heaven, asking for cappuccinos in restaurants that don’t sell them, insisting that with a little milk, coffee, and cinnamon, they can just pop it in the microwave and mix it together. Until we meet again, Linda—I know we’ll have a blast together, just like we always did.

Linda and I were connected through our mothers who were friends for more than 50 years. My mother shortened many of Linda’s skirts when shorter skirts first came into style. When I started university, I “inherited” Linda’s trunk which I hauled around for more than 25 years. Over the years when our paths crossed, Linda always had a smile and a story about some adventure or another. She bubbled over with love for her family.

Sincere condolences to all, Rosemary Polegato

Nikki, Brent and Family

My deepest condolences on the passing of your mother.

Over the years find your Mom as a beautiful person. Will miss her joy and smiles. Excellent teacher!Also touched me with loving friendship.

Will be missed. She always focus in loving and helping others.

Elizabeth Marchand

Going to miss your beautiful smile, discussions on world travel and your passion for your family and friends. My condolences to Nikki, Brent and spouses. Also to her grandchildren whom she adored and was so proud of.

Love your cousin Michele xoxo

Condolences to the Crawford / Poirier family on the passing of Linda. My connection with the family is through her children Brent and Nikki, a cherished friendship of over 30 years. Reading these comments I can see she was a well respected educator. From reviewing the family pictures and based on my personal observations of her I can see she was loving mother, wife and grandmother and friend to many. By all indications a life well lived on at least two continents (that I am aware of ) Her time has come to be eternally reunited with Barry. To all who knew and loved her with deepest sympathies and love the Chambers Family.

My tears join with yours, Brent and Nikki and families, in the loss of your beloved mother and grandmother. You and your father and her grandchildren were her greatest joy. My heartfelt and deepest sympathy goes out to you.

It is difficult to accept the sad reality of her passing. I will always remember her as a loving, generous, full of life, insightful, adventurous, fun loving friend and colleague. Her contagious smile and the sound of her voice and laughter will stay with me.

Since 1979 at Royal School, Linda was a steadfast friend. No matter how busy, or where in the world she was advocating for education, travelling, or enjoying and helping her family, she always stayed in touch. I am lucky to have fond memories of early years spent with Linda and her welcoming family…babysitting Nikki, giving Brent piano lessons, enjoying “Cape” your little black terrier, and sharing memorable good times with Linda and Barry. As the years unfolded, I looked forward to and will miss our never ending conversation about life, family, and education, our joys and sorrows, worries, hopes and dreams.

Linda was truly a rare and wonderful gift, a loving, caring, remarkable woman who made a difference. Throughout her life she inspired, encouraged, and supported her family, friends, and colleagues, positively impacting education and students here and abroad, and the lives and careers of so many. She leaves behind a loving, lasting legacy that will continue to influence those who were fortunate to know her.

Thank you Linda for a treasured lifelong friendship. I will carry you in my heart dear friend with love, gratitude, and precious memories. Missing you now and always, “Jo” Jo-Anne Salay

To Linda's family,

Heartfelt condolences to you on your loss. Linda was my vice principal at Van Walleghem School. She was a very dedicated , energetic and enthusiastic educator who cared so much for students and teachers. She was instrumental in promoting the French Immersion program in Assiniboine South School Division and later in Pembina Trails. We are grateful for all your efforts and contributions. Repose en paix chère Linda.

Carole Régnier, Winnipeg, MB

Linda, was a force in my life for so many years. I am thankful for our long and deep friendship. Just a few months ago we travelled to Portugal together for a long stay in the Algarve. The news of her illness has come as such a shock. So many memories.

Brent and Paula were students in the first late Immersion class at Ecole Charleswood. When the board made the decision to discontinue the program for highschool, Linda and I coached our kids to speak at the board meeting. Brent spoke in English and Paula in French. Of course, the decision was reversed and our kids were the first to graduate highschool in late Immersion.

During or post grad work we helped each other write essays and prep for admin position applications at a time when there were few women in administration. We celebrated each other’s success along the way.

We studied together at McGill, sleeping together in a double bed second floor Montreal walk up apartment with no air conditioning. Sharing meals in a great restaurants in Montreal..we would order a half bottle of wine she would barely have a glass of leaving me to finish the rest.

Barry and Linda hosted Darvin and I in Egypt for a memorable first introduction to a different culture. Linda led us through the streets of Cairo even late at night with no fear. We were so thankful to have Barry escort us across the Sinai so we could snorkel in the Red Sea Riviera and visit St. Catherine’s Monastery while she worked!

We shared our deep grief at the death of our husbands.

Linda toured Darvin and I around the magical Cape Breton she knew and loved so well.

We admired her fierce commitment to precious grandchildren.

I loved her visits to Winnipeg to stay with me..so much fun, even dancing together in the kitchen.

And finally …Our April Portugal trip adventures. Who else could you spend a whole month sharing a bedroom with???

I am grateful for so many precious memories of my friend Linda. Nikki and Brent your loss is great but you have been left an incredible legacy of a purpose filled life. My deep sympathy.

Sharon Jasper

We are saddened to hear of Linda's passing. Our sincere condolences. Linda was truly a memorable lady.

Condolences to all the families.RIP Linda,you were a dear friend. Bobby and MaryAgnes Sampson.

My earliest memories of Linda are intertwined with the special friendship she shared with my mother — her beloved “Aunt Annie.” She was the cool cousin who lived next door, laughing with Mom in the kitchen while I was sent off to bed early. Even then, I knew I wanted to be part of her world.

She was a trailblazer from the start. Her graduation photo from St. FX held a place of honour in our childhood home — more than a picture, it was a promise of possibility. Years later, when I followed in her footsteps to university, she helped me with my very first essay. She made me believe I could do it.

Her wedding to Barry was legendary in our village. The red serge uniforms added flair to a day already filled with glamour and joy. She was radiant then, and she remained radiant — in spirit and in beauty — her whole life.

Her pride in Brent and Nikki was fierce, boundless, and joyful. And when the grandchildren arrived — Oliver, Gabriel, Kevin, and Ellie — her pride multiplied.

Her career took her around the world and fed that restless, curious spirit of hers. Her life could easily be read as a travelogue — full of cultures, encounters, and stories she was always eager to share. But no matter how far she travelled, she was always close when it mattered. When we asked her to deliver the eulogy for our mother, she dropped everything, flew to Halifax with a terrible cold, stood at that podium despite laryngitis, and shared beautiful and comforting words. It was pure Linda — loyal, dependable, unstoppable.

After Barry died, we were blessed to have her close by in Halifax. We shared countless day trips, spontaneous adventures, and travels further afield.

I am forever grateful for the ways Linda inspired me, for the life she lived, the lives she raised, and the many lives she touched. She was my cousin, my friend, and a proud “Poirier” girl. With love, forever and always,
 Angela Poirier

It was a privilege to work with and get to know Linda. I first met her in 1990 as I was preparing for my first school admin position, replacing Linda who was heading off on a different assignment in Assiniboine South. Over the years, we worked closely together on a number of projects and tasks. Linda always kept students at the center of all discussions and decisions even if it meant ruffling feathers and she was never shy about challenging people on their beliefs and assumptions, regardless of their position. She was kind, considerate, generous, and empathetic; a true example for many to follow. With Linda, you knew what she stood for and she taught me so much about many facets of working in schools. She would always make time for me and I always felt listened to whenever we talked. Merci pour tout ce que tu m’as appris, ma chère amie. Tu me manques.

Mme Crawford was my Grade 4 teacher at École Royal Elementary in Winnipeg in 1985-1986. I remember so much about my Grade 4 year and how engaging Mme Crawford made learning: Science Fair, dissecting an eyeball, clay pottery, dressing up a bulletin board for a Photo Booth for Halloween (we were allowed to put a chair on a table and sit on the chair on the table! So exciting!) At the end of my Grade 4 year my family moved overseas to Europe and she made my last day special by having my classmates sign a beautiful Strawberry Shortcake card (I still have it.) I hope she would be happy to hear that I am now a French Immersion teacher librarian, inspired to go into teaching in part due to my positive experience in her class. My deepest condolences to her family.

Sincere Condolences to all family and friends! Rwst In Peace Linda!

Dear Crawford Family,

Sincere sympathy to Linda's family during this difficult time. Linda and I went to school together in

Arichat and remained friends through the years. We found out not long ago that we were actually related. She was a lovely lady.

Take care of each other,

Sincerely, Al and Paula Poirier

Linda was a highly valued colleague for many of us at Assiniboine South! Her assessments and encouragement were highly respected by her fellow educators. My sincere condolences to Nicky and her brother. Garry Froese