Obituary

On Wednesday, March 23, 2022, Linda G. Bunn, of South Charleston, was released from the body which had so valiantly fought cancer for 18 months, after a brief hospital stay.

Linda is survived by her daughter Alexandra, a senior at WVU, one sister Laura (Frank) Sammartino, of Highland, CA, and her loving partner, Monty Brown.

At St. Marks United Methodist Church, Linda was very active, as Finance Secretary, Administrative Board member, Altar Guild member, Friday night meals and movies for homeless neighbors, Steel Drum Band, Vacation Bible School, and as an avid Pickle Ball player.

She worked as a beloved member of the AARP West Virginia team, where she served as Associate State Director for Outreach in the West Virginia State Office for the past 12 years. Her passions at work mirrored her personal interests: protecting seniors from abuse and fraud, improving neighborhoods, and the arts. Prior to joining the West Virginia State Office, she served five years as a program specialist with the AARP Foundation’s Senior Medicare Patrol Project and Benefits QuickLink programs in the Mountain State.

A California native, Linda graduated from the University of Santa Clara, with an A.B. degree in Political Science, and a J.D. (law) degree. She often bragged about her Jesuit education saying that the Jesuits were so intelligent and articulate, and also made some very fine wine. Linda previously worked with the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office.

She was contagiously passionate about everything she did – her work at church, her work with AARP’s dedicated volunteers and network of community partners, and especially with (what she called) “her [military service] veterans.” Linda enjoyed painting, craft work, and music. She won the state piano competition in California as a youth. She dedicated her life to making her daughter Alex into the beautiful, intelligent, and talented young woman she is. In her latter years, she enjoyed fishing, camping, cooking, and travel with her partner Monty Brown, trying unsuccessfully to teach him her extraordinary skills as a fisherman. Linda would not hesitate to tell you that she did not suffer fools kindly, particularly mean-spirited ones. But she impacted so many with her fun, love and pizzazz. She brought laughter everywhere she went.

The family especially thanks Dr. Melchor Vidal, and Dr. Steven Bush, II, and all nurses and medical staff working with them, for their excellent and compassionate care during her 18 month battle. “On March 23,” a colleague wrote of Linda, “a light has gone out in our world, but I hope you will all join me in remembering and honoring Linda in our lives, our work, our thoughts and our prayers.”

A Memorial Service will be held at St. Marks United Methodist Church, 900 Washington Street, Charleston, WV, on Saturday April 2, 2022 at 12:00 noon, the Rev. Cindy Briggs-Biondi officiating, with visitation two hours before (10:00-12:00.) In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Marks United Methodist Church.

Condolences may be sent to the family at: www.barlowbonsall.com.

Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted to handle the arrangements.