- Winnipeg Free Press Passages
- All Titles
Search:
Notices are posted by 10 am Monday through Saturday
LINDA KAVITCH (née POPOVIC)
Born: May 13, 1970
Date of Passing: Dec 04, 2021
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or Memory
LINDA KAVITCH
(née POPOVIC)
Born May 13, 1970 in Winnipeg, Linda joined older brothers, John and Bob. Parents Bosko and Katalin were newcomers to Canada, recently arrived from the former Yugoslavia (once Hungary; now Serbia), via time in Germany. This family history fostered Linda's loves of languages, people, and travel. Only a year apart, she and Bob were inseparable, spending hours building creations with Playmobil, popsicle sticks, and Turtles boxes. They enjoyed solo summer visits to their mother's village of Debeljaca. In high school, Linda rocked big hair and loved heavy metal like Motley Crüe, GNR, and Judas Priest, cranked up to full volume in Bob's TransAm.
Later, Linda studied criminology at the University of Manitoba. She loved working the airport tourism desk, visiting Europe with her mom, practicing judo and rock climbing, traveling to Japan, and skydiving. Drawn to a life of service, Linda applied to the Winnipeg Police. Selected as part of recruit class #121, she kept us all intrigued with tales from early days on the beat.
Through policing, Linda met the love of her life, Kevin. They sent romantic messages over the police computer, marrying in 1999. They shared 22 years of marriage, including tropical holidays; passions for police work, running, and sports; and two wonderful sons, Tyler and Mark. Linda was a dedicated football mom who loved cheering her boys on; family travels; and sharing her taste in books and movies with her sons. She was proud of the young men they were becoming - and continued the tradition of cranking her music in the car when they were along for the ride.
Linda's final years were marked by a courageous battle with cancer. She faced her health challenges privately - with grace, determination, and support from her rescue cat, Zoë. We are grateful to CancerCare Manitoba, Mayo Clinic, and Victoria Hospital for attention to Linda's case, especially frontline staff, nurses, and Drs. Ogaranko, Green, and Hobday.
It's impossible to reduce Linda's impact on us to a short recital of her accomplishments. Instead, we remember that million-watt smile, her elaborate scrapbooks, her love of big cats and snow kitties, her weekends at the lake with the girls, her cheeky sense of humour, her handwritten cards with tiny capital letters for our special occasions, her big heart, her even bigger hugs, and how she made us all feel so loved.
These memories are cherished by her family, including Kevin, Tyler, and Mark; parents, Kathy and Bosko; in-laws, Delores and Jack; brother Bob (Natalie); brother John (Judy); brother-in-law Sean (Shannon); niblings, Marek, Nicolas, Katie, Johnny, Shaylene and Braden; aunts, uncles, and cousins in Hungary, Germany, and Serbia; her crew of devoted friends; and her colleagues at the Winnipeg Police Service. Whenever we hear Monty Python quotes, we will remember her uncanny impressions. And as we go on in this life, we will know that - just like the Romans - she really did so much for us.
A celebration of her life will be held Monday, December 20 at 1:00 p.m. at My Church, 955 Wilkes Ave. COVID rules: attendees must be masked; proof of double vax & photo ID required. The event will also be live-streamed:
https://youtu.be/3cSULz_NbfM
This obituary and guestbook may also be viewed at www.arbormemorial.ca/en/glenlawn
Publish Date: Dec 18, 2021
LINDA KAVITCH
(née POPOVIC)
A celebration of her life will be held Monday, December 20 at 1:00 p.m. at My Church, 955 Wilkes Ave. COVID rules: attendees must be masked; proof of double vax and photo ID required. The event will also be live-streamed.
Publish Date: Dec 16, 2021
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 16, 2021, Dec 18, 2021
Condolences & Memories (8 entries)
-
Before becoming an officer, Linda was already volunteering to help people, at the WPS Victim Services, which is where I met her, nearly 30 years ago. She had a wonderful combination of compassion and a rapier-like sarcastic sense of humour. For her, debating how many (and what type of) swallows were needed to carry a coconut was an hour well spent. Anyone fortunate enough to have been within her circle of family and friends will always remember how their own life was better, because Linda was part if it. - Posted by: James Whiting (friend) on: Dec 22, 2021
-
Kevin, Tyler and Mark my condolences on your lost. I meet Linda a few times when we crossed paths at work, she was a wonderful person and true professional. RIP Linda we have it from here - Posted by: Phil Neyron (Colleague ) on: Dec 20, 2021
-
I was a proud classmate of Linda’s in Recruit Class #121. Linda was always planning social events for the Class and the glue that quite often held us together. My condolences to Kevin and the kids, I’m sorry things went this way. Rest well Linda and Godspeed, you did a good job. Smitty - Posted by: Kevin Smith (Classmate/Colleague/friend ) on: Dec 19, 2021
-
Kevin, Tyler and Mark - you lost a precious light in your wife and your mother (but you already know that). Linda was a member of our Dragon Boat team for 2 seasons and she brought enthusiasm, laughter and of course her smile to every practice and race we had. Linda and Sue were great friends and great team mates. She fought a hard battle and it's not fair that you had to let her go. May her love and memories stay with you forever, and when you miss her just close your eyes, see her smile and know she will be watching over you forever. - Posted by: Janice Lane (Friend/Dragon boat teammate) on: Dec 18, 2021
-
Kevin so sorry to read about your wife's passing. Remember when your boys were babies on Coombs Drive. Thinking of you. - Posted by: Gloria (Worked at driver testing, neighbour on Coombs) on: Dec 18, 2021
-
My Dear Linda, Thank you for the wonderful memories during my time in Winnipeg Preclearance. Your friendship and smile will always remain in my heart. May you be finally free of any physical pain. Love, Laura Mancha - Posted by: Laura Mancha (Friend ) on: Dec 17, 2021
-
I worked with Linda in Traffic for a while. She was a good partner and a wonderful person. I am so sorry to hear of her passing, and offer my sincere condolences to her family. Gary Dovzuk - Posted by: Gary Dovzuk (co-worker) on: Dec 17, 2021
-
I am so sorry to hear of Linda's passing. I worked with her on several different occasions at different times. She was truly one of the most pleasant, lovely, caring people I've ever met. I always came away feeling better after spending any time with her. I'm sure she had that quality for everyone she met. Linda was definitely a very special woman, and will truly be missed. Condolences to family, friends and all who had the pleasure of knowing her. - Posted by: Gary Wilde (Work Colleague) on: Dec 17, 2021