Above: Linda pictured 20-25 years ago at Stoodley Pike. Below: Astronomy Centre |
Linda Simonian |
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It was while living in Hebden Bridge as a single mother that Linda decided on her career in Astronomy. At a time when a university education was still quite rare, Linda studied for A levels while bringing up her two daughters and then spent three years in London at university. Not only was she instrumental in founding the Astronomy Centre between Tod and Bacup, but she was a highly respected astronomer, lecturer and environmentalist. She shared her passion for wildlife, nature and the universe with people all over the country. Her family have said, "Be it a flower, a tree or a person, if Linda touched it, it would blossom. There are very few people in this world to whom the words 'truly inspirational' could be applied, people who are able to make a positive meaningful contribution to life on this pllanet." Linda died suddenly at home on 9th June 2006 from heart attack at the age of fifty-five. She still had so much more to give. |
THOUGHTS AND MEMORIES From Jim Clancy Linda Peace love and happiness to one and all Goodbye to you the rarest of flowers. From Len Townsend A true shining light. Linda will be missed by everyone! From John G Keegan Linda was a most remarkable woman. I am proud to have been her friend, partner, and husband. I am grateful for the kind words and thoughts expressed here (and elsewhere) for this wonderful lady. Linda's positive influence of so many people will ensure that her name and work will live on for many years to come. I hope to present some of Linda's achievements on the AstroMuse website soon. Dear Linda, Love Always, JK. From Nettie Linda took me under her wing when I was a teenager and made me who I am today. Memories of Hale Bopp, observing the moons of Jupiter with the astrocat and JK on his guitar. You were the best friend I ever had Linda... From Stephanie Beattie I was so shocked and saddened to hear today of Linda's death and my heart goes out to John and her family. From Tracy and Kenny Memories of a lovely lady. Our daughter Ashley used to attend one of the Saturday activity clubs run by John and Linda. She was always eager to pass on what she had learnt (in a fun way). When she did her project on the solar system at school I've no doubt she got top marks due to the valued help she received from the "real astronomers"!!!! My only regret is that I didn't spend the time getting to know Linda better. I can only say that I know she made a big difference to my Uncle John's life and I had never seen him as happy. Her resting place is so fitting, just sorry she went to it so early. Keep up the good work John, keeping her memory alive. From Jacqueline Pattison Linda was the nicest person you could wish to meet. She was kind considerate and I was privileged to be her sister-in-law. I also saw the difference she made to my brother, they were so happy and content and were about to start a new part of their life both having retired. Their plans and dreams shattered by her death, but she will never be forgotten. She was a wonderful person and friend. From Brian Kemp Astronomy GCSE exam Yesterday, I was delighted to open a GCSE result for grade B in Astronomy. I took the course where I posted work to Linda and was about to write a letter and thank her for marking my work. I have just read the sad news of her heart attack on this website and would like to say thank you to this lady via this message. Although I never met Linda, I am very grateful for her correspondence for preparing for my exam. I am sad to hear what has happened to her and wish her family all the best. I am most grateful for her assistance and wish the planetary centre all the best. Brian Kemp From Julie Cockburn Linda's smile, lighting up the room, infectious laugh, a wonderful Mum. I didn't know much about being a Mum, I watched and learned from the two Linda's (Simonian and Milnes) both gone now. Wish you'd stuck around with all your warmth and energy and enthusiasm. Last time I saw Linda was Bryn's funeral, a chance for one of those occasional catch ups its a shock to realise she's dead. One of the old crew, the founder-mothers of Hebden Bridge as we know it, Linda. From Chris Ratcliffe, One memory I have of Linda is when a whole crowd of us went camping in Hardcastle Crags, not too far from Blake Dean. It was a summer in the seventies. The children were asleep and we were sitting round the fire. Our friend, Douglas idly looked up at the clear night sky, and started naming the constellations. Linda was totally fascinated. “How do you know all that?” she asked in genuine amazement. Douglas explained that he had always been interested in astronomy. As this was around thirty years ago, I can’t remember too much more except that Linda’s excitement about the night sky stayed with me. I think she almost immediately started A levels and of course went on to study astronomy at university. When she started the astronomy centre, I often felt a pang of pride that I had been present when Linda first got the spark for the stars. Thinking back on it all, I wonder whether her success as a young single mother deciding she could go on to higher education (at a time when a university education was still quite rare) helped inspire some of our other friends, also single mums, to think that they too could go on to university or greater things. Although I hadn’t seen Linda very often recently, I had always expected her to be around, and that we would bump into each and catch up from time to time. |