Linda S. Howell

Linda Scolavino Howell, age 53, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2021, after a seven-year long and heroic battle with colon cancer. She was initially given a much grimmer prognosis, doctors saying she may only live one more year, but despite all the fear that comes with sudden life-altering news, Linda summoned the will and strength to defy those odds and overcome enormous challenges, just as she did throughout her precious lifetime. No one doubts that her remarkable journey stemmed from the depths of her love for her children and sheer force of will to be there for them for as long as humanly possible and to experience as many special memories as possible with them. She is survived by her son, Peter Howell, her daughter Margaret (“Maggie”) Howell, and her former husband and father of her children, Reid Howell. Linda was born on November 16, 1968, in Long Island, New York, growing up first in East Northport and then Huntington. Her childhood was filled with hardships and difficult circumstances, but she did not let those experiences harden her soul. Hers was a genuine, warm, and loving soul, and she spent her life searching for and connecting so strongly with other such souls. Linda may not have had typical relationships with her mother and father, but she found parental figures in her grandparents, Fred and Dorothy, and her Uncle Barry and Aunt Betty. She found a sister to grow up with in her cousin, Darlene. She made what she needed in life through her own steadfast determination, and biggest strength, the capacity to love and be loved. Linda also had a brave and bold warrior’s spirit. Despite all the adversity she had to overcome growing up, she did not let that hold her back. She envisioned a better life for her own family, and she did everything she could to make that happen. She was the potent combination of smart and savvy. She put herself through college, graduating from Stony Brook University, followed by law school at Temple University. She went on to become a successful insurance attorney at Ace and Chubb Insurance. Linda met her former husband while at law school, and they raised their family in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Linda cherished the charming streets of Chestnut Hill, where she enjoyed the quaint shops and convenient salons, but mostly just being outside in nature, walking or gardening or even just sitting down quietly and listening, gave her joy when she needed it. She walked the sidewalks and parks regularly with her dogs, even when walking became difficult. The vibrant market behind her house renewed her spirit day after day. When she could no longer work as an attorney, she worked for a time at Poppy’s coffee shop, which was a perfect fit for her friendly personality and ability to converse with anyone. Linda loved sharing the unique and dramatic stories of her children’s births. For example, she was in labor with Peter on the same day tax returns were to be postmarked. While most people under those circumstances might simply drop off the envelope in a mailbox on the way to the hospital, Linda insisted, despite being in labor, on stopping at a post office, going inside, and observing with her own eyes the stamping of her envelope. Having all her ducks in a row must have facilitated the optimal state of mind necessary for a smooth and safe delivery, because Peter was born without issue. When she was in labor with Maggie, Reid, who was an officer in the U.S. Navy at the time, was deployed. Not being allowed to come home for the birth of their child, Linda, using her lawyer hat, crafted an American Red Cross message stating essentially, “mother and child in danger” (which was arguably true). And it worked. They allowed Reid to return, and he was able to be present for Maggie’s birth. Peter and Maggie were everything most important in this world to Linda, and they would be her guiding compass for the rest of her life. She lived for her children, spending so much of her time thinking of how she could help support them and ensure that they had a life of ease, joy, and fulfillment, filled with love. Linda loved family and it was clear that she was her most happy self when family was together. Always seeking a better family life for her children than what she had growing up, Linda made sure to foster family gatherings and get-aways, particularly with her brother Anthony, sister-in-law Jackie, her niece Amanda, her nephews Chris, Michael, and Joey, all whom she loved so dearly. Whether it was holiday get-togethers, a lake house rental at the Poconos, or a beach house rental on the Jersey shore, joyful memories and life-long family bonds were made because Linda made it happen. Linda’s love for family extended to her close friends and neighbors, whom she treated just like her own family. Her doctors, nurses, and caregivers all came to admire Linda’s inspiring spirit. She assembled quite a vast cheerleading squad in her final trying years, again, just by being herself. Many can attest that once you made a connection with Linda, you were bonded for life. She also dearly loved dogs, especially her own dogs, Luna and Poppy. Her most recent dog, Bella, was with her during these last difficult chapters in her life, and brought her immeasurable love, comfort, and companionship. Linda also enjoyed hikes, the beach, long walks, reading, meaningful conversation, traveling, browsing antique stores, and shopping (mostly for others) when she could. She was extremely generous, kind, passionate, thoughtful, smart, charming, witty (sometimes a little on the spicy side) and stunningly beautiful, with a warm, radiant smile that could disarm even the most hardened of hearts. Linda was a force of nature, an inspiration, a beam of light, a joy to have connection to, a “good soul” as she was known to say, and a true beauty inside and out. We were truly blessed to have been graced with her invaluable life on this earth. She had an impact on countless lives and was loved by so many, and she will live on in our hearts forever.