Elizabeth Baker Mathews, 91, Vero Beach
Elizabeth Baker Mathews, known as Betsy to her friends, passed away shortly before her 92nd birthday on Aug. 31, 2018, in Vero Beach.
The daughter of Elizabeth Swift Holladay and Charles William Baker Jr., she was born and raised in Wilmington, Del., along with her sister, Anne Louise Baker Carroll, and her brother, Charles William Baker, III.
Betsy graduated from the Tower Hill School in Wilmington, Del., and the Westover School in Middlebury, Ct.
Betsy and her husband, Hayden, were longtime residents of Greenwich, Ct. She was a member of the Field Club of Greenwich, the Colony Club in New York, the Moorings Club in Vero Beach and the National Society of Colonial Dames.
She is survived by her three children, Alexander Stirling Mathews (Katie), Adam Averell Mathews (Cherie) and Elizabeth Holladay Mathews (Giovanni).
She was very proud of and found constant delight in her grandchildren, Emily (husband, Brian), Julia, Alexander, Ashley (husband, Eli), and Adam; and great-granddaughter, Scarlet.
She loved playing bridge, knitting, needlepoint, archery, reading, music, dancing and her Yankees.
She possessed undeterred optimism and determination and was fiercely loyal to her family and friends.
What a life she lived, no matter how you measure it, sunsets over the water, phone calls with old friends, tomato sandwiches, cones of chocolatey ice cream, letters signed with lots of love, mystery novels and biographies, laughter with children and grandchildren, even text messages.
Her husband, Hayden, passed away in 2012.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Sept. 22 at Holy Cross Church in Vero Beach.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the name of Elizabeth B. Mathews to the Indian River Medical Center Foundation, Attention Liz Bruner; 1000 37th place; Suite 101; Vero Beach, Florida 32960; in recognition of exceptional medical care.
Linda Kinard, 71, Vero Beach
Linda Kinard, 71, passed away on Sept. 5, 2018, was born on Sept. 5, 1947, in Louisville, Ky.
She was one of 12 children to William and Vernie Price. She spent her childhood and part of her adult life in Louisville. She lived in Alabama, Georgia, Ohio, Tennessee, Mississippi and Florida during her lifetime.
She loved nature and all God’s creation. Her favorite place she visited was Hawaii. She loved watching the waves at the beach and feeling the spray on her face.
Linda enjoyed making flower arrangements, watching game shows and mystery movies and would always quote movies that she loved. She loved music and loved to sing.
But most of all Linda loved Jesus. Her siblings will remember her as a kind and loving sister. Some may think of her as a take charge kind of gal.
Linda was married to her husband, Bill, for 48 years. Their love was unique. They withstood the test of military life, trials, tribulations, sickness and the test of time.
When it came to her children she was the MATRIARCH. The Queen Bee, Momma Bear extraordinaire. Not only was she a loving mother, she was a best friend, a listening ear, a secret keeper, an anchor, the glue that held things together.
At times she was both mother and father to her children. She was fun and full of adventure. Anyone else who knew Linda Kinard would say, “She was one of a kind, a diamond in the rough.”
She was full of life and spunkiness up to the very end. She was fierce, loyal, and a force to be reckoned with. You definitely did not want to be on her bad side…or interrupt her first sips of coffee in the morning. She was hysterically funny. She said what was on her mind, and suddenly your sides would hurt, tears would be rolling down your face and you would feel the sudden urge to find a restroom.
Her friends would say, “You weren’t just her friend, you were her family.” She loved with her whole heart in all that she did.
Linda had a gift for seeing the needs of others and had a heart to fill that need. She gave generously even when times were rough. She could make something out of nothing and feed the masses. Linda was loved by everyone and will be terribly missed!!
Survivors include her husband, William Edwin Kinard, of Vero Beach; son, William L. Vertrees, Jr., of Mount Pleasant, Tenn.; daughters, Lisa Laguardia, of Kissimmee, Fla., and Tina Porter, of Vero Beach; brothers, Louie Price, of Louisville, Ky., Johnny Price, of Tampa, Fla., Eddie Price, of Louisville, Mike Price, of Brownsville, Texas, Billy Price, of Houston, Texas, and Jerry Price, of Lexington; sisters, Margaret Price and Barbara Price, both of Louisville; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, at Strunk Funeral Home, Vero Beach.
A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Tracy Moore officiating.
