Linda Christina Fogarty, 77, of Kimball Township and North Port, Florida, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, June 10, 2024 in Venice, Florida.
She was born April 11, 1947 in St. Clair, Michigan to the late Douglas M. and Mary E. Schantz. Linda married Jerry Joseph Fogarty on September 19, 1964 in St. Clair and they shared 46 years of marriage before his passing on February 13, 2011.
Linda found hope, peace, and comfort in her faith in Jesus Christ and wanted everyone to experience that same relationship with the Lord. She was always willing to share her life story and testimony of how the Lord saved her and how faith could help others with their situations. Her legacy wish was that everyone would come to know Jesus on a personal level.
Linda accomplished many things in her lifetime. She and Jerry were members and founders of the Michigan Trail Riders Association (MTRA). They maintained their membership for over 40 years. Careerwise, Linda had great success. After waitressing for 10 years at the Fogcutter Restaurant, she went on to manage and lead hundreds of women over a 25-year career with Home Interiors and Gifts. It was here that she really thrived, winning numerous awards for top national sales, year after year.
It was this success that allowed her to retire at the early age of 50 and pursue her passion for travel. She ventured extensively throughout the USA, Canada, Europe, and even made it to Egypt to see the pyramids. She especially loved cruises and was always ready to go!
Linda loved vibrant colors and all things jeweled and sparkling. Her favorite color was fuchsia and her personality matched: a happy color which embodied her spirit, boldly feminine and yet strong and striking. She was always joyful, grateful, and happy. She had a wonderful giggle-type laugh that was contagious. She was unapologetically herself, unfiltered, and willing to share her thoughts on any subject. You knew when Linda was in the room and our rooms will miss her greatly.
Linda is survived by her children, Joseph (Heidi) Fogarty and Amy (Bryan) Balon; her daughter-in-law, Felicia Fogarty; her eight grandchildren, Taylor, Rhiannon, Gabby, Gareth, and Gracie Fogarty and Tyler, Ethan, and Brylynn Balon; and her siblings, Randy and Brian Schantz. In addition to her husband and parents, Linda was preceded in death by her son, Richard Fogarty; parents-in-law, Shirley and Marion Fogarty; sister, Denise Tanzi; and brothers, Martin, Craig, and Larry Schantz.
Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, 2024 in the Marysville Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 in Hillside Wesleyan Church with visitation beginning at 10:30 a.m. The Reverend William Kinnan Jr. will officiate. Friends and family may view the livestream or recording of the service by visiting Linda’s obituary page on the funeral home website.
Burial will be in Caswell Cemetery, Kimball Township. Pallbearers will be Ethan, Tyler, and Bryan Balon, Joe and Gareth Fogarty and Randy and Brian Schantz.
Memorials may be made to Hillside Wesleyan Church. To send condolences, visit marysvillefuneralhome.com
