Linda Dey McDonald

Linda Dey McDonald, 82, of Sarasota, Florida, passed away on March 26, 2024 at her home on Siesta Key surrounded by her loving family after battling metastatic breast cancer. Linda was born in Princeton, New Jersey, on March 2, 1942, daughter to the late C. Lawrence and Mable “Lolly” Dey. She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law Alan and Carol Dey; her daughter and son-in-law, Lora Lyn and Shawn Frederick; her son and son-in-law, Keith Anderson and Tim Merrill; her grandson Alex Frederick and granddaughter Michaela Frederick. A three-time cancer survivor, Linda graduated from Centenary College, Rollins College, and Dance Educators of America. She was a charter member of the American Dance Therapy Association and began her career developing dance and movement classes for children that resulted in improved learning and retention. She taught all levels from pre-school through college and worked with deaf, blind, mentally and physically disabled, prisoners, senior adults and cancer survivors. Linda was a US delegate to the World Health Organization Congress on Aging, Physical Activity, and Sports in Heidelberg, Germany. She served as a US representative on an international delegation to China for dance education. Rotary International invited her to serve on a Group Study Exchange to Korea. As a certified Healthy Steps/LeBed trainer, she taught a medically-based therapeutic exercise program that is used in medical centers worldwide. In 2010, Linda published “Dancing Cancer”, a children's book that shares her first battle with cancer at the age of three. She always loved to dance and move. Even though her cancer returned she continued to follow her hopes and dreams. Good medical help, diet, exercise, positive attitude, and faith all lead to her healing. This inspirational book encourages those touched by cancer to have faith and to continue following their dreams. A celebration of life for Linda will be held on Sunday, April 21st 2024 at Siesta Key Chapel where she was a member since 1999. The service will take place at 11:30 am, immediately following the Siesta Key Chapel’s 10:30 am worship service. A luncheon reception in the Fellowship Hall will be held after the service. All are welcome! In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Linda’s memory be made to Linda’s Blessings Fund at The Community Foundation of Sarasota County, 2635 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34237 or call 941-955-3000. Linda’s Blessings Fund provides financial assistance to a variety of charitable organizations focused on education, cancer and global Christian outreach.

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Linda Dey McDonald

March 2, 1942 - March 26, 2024