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Former Pinellas arts advocate dies of leukemia at 70
By CRAIG BASSE
Published March 29, 2007
ST. PETERSBURG - Taken with the art in New York and Chicago, Linda S. Harper wanted to see more art donated in St. Petersburg. Sharing her hope, the city began developing a master plan for culture in 1998 and committed $32,000 to assess existing art resources and address future needs. Ms. Harper was chairman of the Arts Advisory Council, a volunteer group overseeing the city's cultural grants program, until 2003. Ms. Harper, who came to town with a background in publications, died Tuesday (March 27, 2007) at Hospice House Woodside of acute leukemia. She was 70. An art major in college, "she was very interested in the city and the city's growth in acquiring art," said her companion, Dr. Kathleen Farrell of Seminole. Ms. Harper was instrumental in the city's acceptance of the bronze statue of a Revolutionary War hero, Brig. Gen. Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Farrell said Wednesday. It stands in Williams Park. Born in Sidney, Ohio, Ms. Harper came here in 1988 from Chicago and worked as a copy editor for the St. Petersburg Times. In 1990, she became vice president of creative services for Vantage Point Marketing. She was a graduate of Bowling Green State University in Ohio. She later held editorial posts with Macmillan/McGraw-Hill. Other survivors include a sister, Becky Cole of St. Petersburg; a stepsister, Melody Schwann of Largo; two brothers, Joel of Seminole, and Jeffery of St. Petersburg; and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at Hospice House Woodside, 6770 102nd Ave. N, Pinellas Park. The family suggests memorial contributions to Hospice of the Florida Suncoast Foundation, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33760. E. Dale Gunter Funeral Home & Cremation Services, St. Petersburg, is in charge. Information from Times files was used in this obituary.
[Last modified March 29, 2007, 06:10:02]
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by Inez
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04/03/07 01:39 PM
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It is just slways so sad to lose someone with so much to offer.
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by Jeff
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03/30/07 11:53 PM
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It was night far out in the country. We kids were alone. Linda was the oldest. A deputy came to the door. "There's a maniac on the loose!" Linda sat us on the couch, got out Dad's shotgun. "No maniac will get past me." We were safe.
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by Ben
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03/30/07 12:41 AM
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My aunt was much more than this. She was warm, funny, inspiring, creative, beautiful, nurturing, and one of my best friends I've ever had. It's too bad that relationship wasn't allowed to continue to flourish. I miss her.
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