Linda C Ballard

Linda Celeste Ballard, 79, of Pasadena, Maryland, passed away peacefully surrounded, in person and in spirit, by her loving family.

Linda and her twin sister, Donna, were born in the Federal Hill neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland. They were the loving daughters of Earl and Marie Cunzeman and younger sisters to Adeline Allen.

Linda graduated from Southern High School and began her career at Baird Seating Company, where she worked as the sales team’s only secretary. In 1971, she married Bill Ballard at Grace United Church of Christ—the same church they had attended since they were nine years old. Their son, Scott, was born the following year.

Linda later returned to the workforce, working for South Baltimore’s Enterprise newspaper as Editor and Office Manager.

Linda enjoyed reading, crocheting, watching movies, and traveling. Her father instilled his love of reading in his twin daughters, while Linda and Donna learned the art of crocheting from their mother’s skilled and loving hands.

Watching movies and traveling were Linda and Bill’s idea of a good time. They always took a trip somewhere to celebrate their January anniversary, and Linda would often tag along on one of Bill’s business trips, adding a little fun to what she considered his otherwise boring travels.

Watching movies together was one of their favorite things—from Gone with the Wind to Song Sung Blue and so many wonderful movies in between. Earlier this year, Linda and Bill celebrated 55 years of marriage and adventure together.

Nothing gave Linda more joy than her family.

Linda and Donna spoke in person or on the phone every day. There is nothing quite like the bond between twins, and theirs was exceptional.

Their children, Scott and Missy, grew up more like brother and sister than cousins. Family picnics with Earl and Marie’s families were among the best parts of Linda and Donna’s childhood summers, and that close family tradition continued into the next generation with Scott and his wife, Vera, and Missy and her husband, Max. In Vera and Missy, Linda found two daughters to love with all her heart.

Linda’s grandchildren, Seth and Julia, were a constant source of joy for nearly thirty years. When Seth married Taylor, Linda happily counted another granddaughter to love. Later, her “Greats,” Sophie and Averie, came along and made that joy overwhelming.

Linda and Bill were blessed with a large, close family—a family that extended well beyond relatives to include the many friends who became family along the way.

Linda is survived by her husband, Bill; their son, Scott, and his wife, Vera; her grandchildren, Julia, and Seth and his wife, Taylor; and her two great-granddaughters, Sophie and Averie.

She is also survived by her twin sister, Donna Pastorek, and her husband, James; their daughter, Melissa Gasker, and her husband, Max; their children, Alaina and Alise; her sister-in-law, Cheryl Zimmer, and her husband, Mike; and her brother-in-law, Rick Ballard. She also leaves behind many cousins, including Sandy, Dee, Marvell, Dana, and Carol; her niece, Kimberly Allen; and many other great-nieces and great-nephews.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Marie Cunzeman; her older sister, Adeline Allen; her nephew, David Allen; and his son, Dave.

Family and friends may gather to honor and celebrate Linda’s life at family owned and operated McCully Polyniak & Collins Funeral Home, P.A 3204 Mountain Road, Pasadena, Maryland, on Wednesday, September 2, from 3:00–5:00 PM and 7:00–9:00 PM. 

The funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Thursday at 9:00 AM, followed by a graveside service at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Brooklyn Park, Maryland.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Linda’s memory, honoring the children and grandchildren who bring so much joy to our lives at the link below.