LINDA EMMA FEHR (LAUGHLIN) (NIXON)

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LINDA EMMA FEHR
(LAUGHLIN) (nee NIXON)
December 17, 1946 - December 6, 2020

It is with deep sadness the family of Linda announce that, after many years of struggle with a variety of health issues, Linda let go of her hold on this life.
Born in Invermere, BC to Walter and Mona (Johnson, nee Campbell) Nixon, the one constant in Linda's life was a keen pursuit of knowledge in humanities, politics and all the world holds. She was a brilliant woman who never shied away from a challenge, was determined to have her voice heard and amplified the voices of those often silenced. She could be an extraordinarily kind person to the most random of people and forever altered many peoples lives for the better. At times she could be challenging and passionately argumentative to a fault, but it was part of her fabric and we were all enriched by the challenge.
Life held many struggles for her, but she was a survivor through and through. Linda's formal education was cut short by an early marriage that fell victim to grief and the arrival of her four children, but it was the death of her two youngest children in infancy that altered her path dramatically. It was nearly a decade before she was able to shake free from the shackles of opioid addiction that began with a well-meaning prescription for a grieving young mother. But she did it and with determination and the help of the love of her life, Henry Fehr, together they built a life centered around their careers and family. Their careers were both very demanding and stressful, but numerous friendships in Abbotsford, BC where they are both fondly remembered kept them active and happy. She had a remarkable strength to keep rising from the ashes that tragedy and a lifelong struggle with addiction and mental health issues brought, but set an excellent example that despite it all one must strive to "keep on keeping on" and aim high. Linda protested in the Gastown Riots in Vancouver in the early 1970s and assisted Vietnam draft dodgers, as she had a strong social conscience and felt compelled to act. Linda's career was an eclectic mix ranging from typesetting for the Aldergrove Star in the 1960s, catching chickens in a commercial barn as a mole to out Labour law abuses, to being a highly valued Systems Analyst with the Federal Government for Corrections Canada, the Department of National Defence and lastly she finished out her working life as a Regional Recruitment officer for Air Traffic Control for Transport Canada/NavCan. In 1992, Linda and Henry relocated to Komarno, Manitoba to be closer to her surviving daughter. Unfortunately, after five short years in their new home Henry passed away after which Linda spent 10 years on her own working part time at a collection of local establishments for social contact until she met her last love, Larry Lambert in 2007. For the first few years they genuinely enjoyed developing and supporting each other in their many and varied artistic talents and sharing their treasures with the surrounding communities, until her health deteriorated to such a degree that she could no longer pursue any of her passions. She was an avid reader to the end and before confinement took its hold she was constantly working on some new creative output. All through her life, she tried to pass on her passions to any and all who showed interest. An active volunteer, able-handed and quick to help, Linda made an impact on so many with her willingness to be a team player for the right cause, including the National Council on the Status of Women, various community organizations and charities. Those who knew her and loved her will miss her quick wit, her love of all things beautiful and her passion, which made her garden the envy of many, a place of solace and home to many happy memories for her family. And oh, the Karaoke! She loved a good spotlight and a catchy tune where she could really let her bright light shine. And she was loved, by many.
In her life Linda grieved the loss of her parents, stepfather John H. Johnson of Vernon, BC, husband Henry Fehr, son Marty Schnurr, son James, daughter Natasha and much loved son-in-law Scott A. Dowsett. She leaves to mourn her daughter Lisa Dowsett (Grant Vandersteen) of Fisher Branch, MB, daughter Tracey MacEwan of Whitehorse, YT, stepdaughters, Lorri Fehr and Leann Fehr, brother Allan Nixon (Cheryl) of Vernon, BC, grandchildren, Andrew, Curtis (Nina), Sarah (Cam), Jordan, Alicia, Reece and Dawson, great-grandson Scott Dowsett, two nieces and her partner Larry Lambert who kept up till the end being a support for Linda for which she so was grateful. Staying in her own home was extremely important and wouldn't have been possible without him and their good friends.
In accordance with her wishes, a private family gathering will be held when Covid restrictions allow but family would ask, if you knew Linda or even if you didn't, the next time you raise a glass, raise one for her to note the passing of a remarkable woman.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 12, 2020