Linda Jeanne Hughes Hamm (84) of Columbia, Maryland, loving wife of the late John W. Hamm, Jr., CMSgt, USAF (Ret), died Friday, June 3, 2022 at her home with her eldest son by her side. She was a loving mother to [Names of living people redacted]; grandmother [Names of living people redacted]; great grandmother to [Names of living people redacted]. She was proud of her stepchildren:[Names of living people redacted], and the late Vallie Jean Finegold ([Names of living people redacted]).

Linda was born on March 1, 1938 in Charleston, West Virginia to William Edward Hughes and Marion Irene Hughes (nee Noud). The family moved to Arlington, Virginia and became active members of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, also in Arlington. Her natural red hair matched her cheerful disposition. Linda enjoyed writing stories and reading books, especially Nancy Drew mysteries. She developed a love for animals, and was an avid equestrian in her youth. She volunteered at a nearby orphanage where she regularly took a special baby boy on stroller rides. 

At age 15 she survived thyroid cancer.

Linda graduated from Washington-Lee High School in 1955 (now Washington-Liberty High School). She had been active in the school's choir and music appreciation club, sketching club, fashions and modeling club, and Tri-Y social club. 

She attended the College of William and Mary as an English major and joined the Delta Delta Delta sorority. Throughout her life, she supported Tri Delta's philanthropic benefactor, St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Linda later earned a master's degree in early childhood education and in 1972 founded St. Peter's Nursery School (now St. Peter's Episcopal School) in Ellicott City, Maryland. 

She fell in love with Florida while living in Satellite Beach as a young adult. There, she attended Holy Apostles Episcopal Church and made shield plaques for each of the Apostles. When her son visited the church after many years, he noticed the plaques still on display. Later, in 1985, she and her late husband John honeymooned in St. Pete Beach, Florida. Right away they began planning annual visits to the town and eventually moved to the town's Don Cesar neighborhood in 1999. They became active members of St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church in St. Petersburg, Florida and served on the altar guild. Linda volunteered at the church's thrift shop and also at a local animal shelter where she walked dogs and eventually adopted one.

Linda considered herself a flower child of the 60's and lived as a testament to peace, kindness, and equality. She never turned away an animal or person in need. In the mid 1960's, while waiting in a car for a thunderstorm to pass, Linda rescued her first of many cats when she heard a scared kitten meowing on the side of the road. Years later, she and her husband John made space in their house for a homeless teenager who had just aged out of the foster care system. 

Her family recalls the beautiful gardens she personally planted at each of her homes. Among her flowers she placed a small statue of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals. She enjoyed art, especially sewing, drawing, and sketching. Her family fondly remembers her handcrafted paper dolls, doll house furniture, drawings of manatees and pirate ships, and countless homemade toys, including a Star Wars Death Star with an elevator and a dollhouse made from a bookshelf.

Linda enjoyed singing and humming folk songs and church hymns. "He Shall Feed his Flock" by George Frideric Handel was her most recent favorite. Years ago, in a March 16, 1965 letter to the editor of the Orlando Sentinel, she cited the hymn "In Christ There Is No East or West" to support racial inclusion and advocate for church ministers who openly sided with marchers in Selma, Alabama and elsewhere.

Linda spent much of her adult life in Howard County, Maryland. She moved to the new city of Columbia in 1968. For decades, she enjoyed monthly women's luncheons with her friends from Even Star Place ("Diet Club"), Friday evenings with friends, and gatherings at JK's Pub. On Sundays she enjoyed time at St. Peter's Church. The friendships she made there and in bible study lasted throughout her life. She always looked forward to an annual Labor Day excursion with families from her early years at St. Peter's. As she moved from place to place, she consistently treasured her friends from Woodmont School – her elementary school in Arlington, and from special times in her childhood.

Linda found a second career in real estate, first as a sales person then as a broker. Leaning on her background in education, she opened Columbia Academy of Real Estate. She eventually became a real estate appraiser in both Maryland and Florida. Linda cherished her "real estate and appraisal" friends. Her children admired her entrepreneurial spirit. 

She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. 

Linda's official cause of death is dementia, which was caused by Alzheimer's Disease. She remained kind and caring to the end of her life.

Her family wishes to express gratitude to Joe Canby and Marzullo Funeral Chapel for preparing Linda for her final resting place in the columbarium repository at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Ellicott City.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 2, 2022 at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 3695 Rogers Avenue, Ellicott City, Maryland 21043.

The following is a list of organizations for those wishing to make a donation in her memory: St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Ellicott City – Rector's discretionary fund; St. Jude Children's Hospital; Alzheimer's Association; Small Miracles Animal Rescue, Ellicott City, Maryland; Charity of your choice.