Untethered

I am wrapping up another year of my life. That isn't something I usually care too much about. In fact, I have a rather disheartening history of bad birthdays. No matter. 

This is the first one I'm facing without any parents left walking this earth.

For whatever reason, I'm finding that increasingly intolerable. By this morning, I'm completely devastated. I can't seem to quit crying. I thought it was horrible after my dad died: unbearable, really, to hear my mom singing "Happy Birthday" all by herself on the other end of the phone. 

This is worse.

As I sit here mulling this over in the silence of my empty house, my mother is a small pile of ashes in the back room of a morgue 450 some-odd miles away. 

Gosh, that's bleak. 

I know.

I know, and I am 100% *not okay*.

So, now what?

Linda K. Pringle

Linda K. Pringle (65) of Oakland, MD was joyfully welcomed into eternity by her Heavenly Father and her beloved husband early on August 7^th, 2024 at the Garrett Regional Medical Center in Oakland, MD.

At the time of her passing, Linda was a substitute teacher at Southern Garrett High School, especially for the Stars Class. She often spoke with affection about her coworkers and her time there.

Linda was born to Donald and Edith Borst in 1958 and grew up in Hammond, IN, graduating from the Hammond Baptist High School in 1976. She attended college in Florida, where she met the love of her life – Richard W. Pringle. They were married in August of 1979 and spent much of their lives together as pastor and wife from 1986 until Richard’s passing in 2017. She served faithfully with him at Ashland Baptist Temple (Ashland, OH), Union Valley Baptist Church (Belle Union, IN), and Frankton Bible Baptist Church (Frankton, IN). During her years in the ministry, Linda reached the lives of many children and people of all ages. She had active friendships around the states and across the world.

Left to cherish her memory are her four daughters Elisabeth (Nathaniel) Wisor, Lynn (Christopher) Wells, Rebecca (Jacob) Riffe, and Sarah (Timothy) Reed, seventeen grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. She was preceded in death by her father, mother, older sister, husband, and several grandchildren. She is survived by her three younger siblings including her cherished baby sister, Diana.

Linda loved to spend time with her fellow residents at the Liberty Square Apartments, several of whom became her close friends. 

She is best remembered by her daughters for the special flair she brought to each holiday occasion, the peals of laughter shared over the silliest things and the way she was always there on the other end of the line for countless phone calls. She was serenaded a final time by all four girls in the hours leading up to her passing. Each has expressed gratitude that the Lord has shown such grace and mercy during this difficult time. They are also incredibly proud of her selfless anatomical donation lovingly made through Infinite Legacy.

Linda was a very private person who asked not to be memorialized with a public service. 

Feel free to express your condolences to her children or in the comments below. All notes will be read and cherished. *You can click on the preselected 'anonymous' for a drop-down menu that will allow you to enter your name and continue the comment as yourself.*