Linda Farrell
July 14, 1947 – September 27, 2024
Linda Joyce Haga Farrell passed away peacefully on Friday, September 27, 2024, after a short illness at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
Linda was born in Hinton, WV, to the late Geraldine Hawley Haga and Edward Greene Haga. She graduated from Hinton High School in 1965. Linda then went to Riverside Hospital School of Nursing in Newport News, VA, graduating in 1968.
After graduation, Linda moved to Northern Virginia, where she worked at Fairfax Memorial Hospital for a time, before beginning her career at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C. After a few years there, Linda became the only pediatric nurse specialist providing exemplary care to her “kids” and their families, all the while managing and teaching a large group of physicians.
Linda was very involved with the American Pediatric Surgical Nurses Association, serving in leadership positions in that organization, including President in 2006 and contributing to a textbook on the care of pediatric surgical patients with her nurse colleagues. Linda was honored at the annual meeting of pediatric surgeons by the president and her friend, David Powell, in May of this year.
While Linda’s professional reputation as a pediatric surgical nursing leader reached internationally, she was the proudest of her relationships with so many families and children who knew her as “Miss Linda”. Countless children have a better quality of life due to Linda’s compassionate and intelligent care.
Linda retired in 2010 moving to Roanoke, VA. It wasn’t long before she reconnected with her high school sweetheart, Pat Farrell, also living in Roanoke. They were married in August 2016. Linda cared for Pat with unfailing devotion during his last two years in memory care, until his passing on July 30, 2024.
In addition to Pat, Linda was preceded in death by her infant sister, Dorothy; her parents; and many beloved aunts and uncles.
She is survived by her step-daughter, Kacie and her husband, Lars Carlson, of Mesa, AZ; many loving cousins and countless steadfast friends; and her very special canine companion, Oliver.
Linda loved her family and her West Virginia mountains. She enjoyed many kinds of music, especially the music of the church, often singing in the choir. Linda lived her faith by volunteering for Meals on Wheels, collecting food for the local food bank, and baking cookies for children in her neighborhood. Linda enjoyed traveling, and she shared many fun trips with her family and, later, Pat. Linda particularly loved her dogs, those now passed, Toby, Daisy, and Lucy.
We want to thank the staff at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, especially the Mountain ICU nurses and all of Linda’s amazing friends, who took such good care of her and her family during her illness.
A celebration of Linda’s life will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, October 12, 2024, at Northview United Methodist Church, 521 Ridgecrest Drive, Roanoke, VA. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the church fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to the LOA Meals on Wheels Program, 4932 Frontage Rd. NW, Roanoke, VA 24019; Angels of Assisi, 415 Campbell Avenue SW, Roanoke, VA 24016; or to Northview United Methodist Church, 521 Ridgecrest Drive, Roanoke, VA 24019.
Those attending the celebration of life service are asked to honor Linda by bringing canned goods, which will be donated to Feeding Southwest Virginia.
Arrangements by Simpson Funeral Home & Crematory, Roanoke, VA, 540-366-0707.
