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Renovating houses helps rebuild her life

Devastated when her young son killed himself, she found revitalizing old homes helped her cope.

By MICHAEL CANNING
Published October 6, 2006

SOUTH SEMINOLE HEIGHTS -- Our homes, and how we decorate them, can say a lot about us.

The abundance of mother-and-son themed art in Linda Ketley's South Seminole Heights house gives strong clues about her life.

One would have to delve a little deeper to draw insight from the fact that Ketley, 57, has renovated 12 other houses in the area with her unique style.

She knows that no amount of paintings on her walls or rejuvenated houses will bring back her son, Jon, who died when he was 23.

But Ketley continues to seek out sad-sack properties to transform. "A friend told me maybe that's why I do this," Ketley said. "To give birth to new life."

Ketley's son was overdue for a visit home from the University of West Florida in Pensacola in 1995. She was about to drive up to look for him when police arrived with the terrible news: Jon had shot himself to death.

Ketley was never sure why. "I don't understand it to this day."

Desperate for an energy outlet, Ketley volunteered for a house refurbishing project organized by Habitat for Humanity. She'd heard about the project on WMNF-FM 88.5, a community radio station her son had turned her on to.

Ketley wasn't exactly handy at first. "I grew up with maids in the house," she said.

Despite coming home sore, she found the work hugely rewarding. She told her husband, "You know, I really like this."

By 1996 she bought her first project house at 316 W South St. in South Seminole Heights. "It was kind of scary," said Ketley, who at the time lived in Old Hyde Park. She did lots of demolition, replaced the floors, and painted it. Subcontractors did the rest.

In 1997, she sold it. But by then, her marriage had given way under the strain of grief. So Ketley decided to just keep going. All the way to Albuquerque, N.M., where she lived for two years, buying, renovating and selling houses.

She returned to Tampa and began a new series of home renovations in South Seminole Heights and Sulphur Springs. Each project included her distinctive blend of Asian, American Southwestern and artsy eclectic styles.

"She pours so much of herself into every piece of property," said fellow Seminole Heights resident and friend Angelica Diaz. "She's really put her essence into them."

Much of Ketley's essence stems from her multicultural background. Born to a Chinese mother and British father, she lived in Singapore until she was 12. She moved with her family to London and by age 18 decided to hitchhike throughout Europe. She settled in Rota, Spain, to work at a bar at an American naval base. There she met her future husband, David Groce, a Navy Seabee.

They married when she was 21 and moved to the United States after his discharge. In 1972, their son, Jon, was born. They lived in Charlotte, N.C., Atlanta, and Memphis, before moving to Bloomingdale near Brandon in 1990. A few years later they moved to Old Hyde Park.

Ketley is building a new house next to her home, at 321 W South St. The bungalow-style home is a stark contrast to her Southwestern-influenced abode, a free-form blend of modern tile, stark geometry and rich color contrasts. Ketley plans to move into the bungalow and sell her home.

She wonders if she'll stay in Tampa much longer. She no longer has family here, and the venturous urges of her youth are re-emerging.

She has friends in Asheville, N.C., and family in England. Both beckon her. "I sort of do things spontaneously. I've got the wanderlust."

[Last modified October 5, 2006, 07:11:19]