Fortuna Mourns Passing of Councilmember Gardner

Linda Gardner

Fortuna Councilmember Linda Gardner [Image used with the permission of Fortuna Mayor Sue Long]

Press release from the City of Fortuna:

Councilmember Linda Gardner, who served on the Fortuna City Council since 2014, passed away Saturday night (September 24) at Redwood Memorial Hospital with her family by her side, following an extended illness. Councilmember Gardner’s family members informed city officials of her passing. She was 67 years old. She was born in Grass Valley and raised in Fortuna. She graduated Fortuna High School in the class of 1967 and graduated from Humboldt State University. Her career took her away from Humboldt but she returned to live here after her retirement.

Linda served on the Planning Commission from 2011 until she was elected to the City Council in 2014. She also served as a Council liaison to the Fortuna Historical Commission and was involved in the Fortuna Garden Club and was on the committee for the Fortuna Auto Xpo.

Mayor Sue Long has requested all flags at city facilities be lowered to half-staff. She said, “Our City mourns the loss of Councilmember Linda Gardner, a dedicated public servant throughout her life. She was a strong supporter of the Fortuna community and will be deeply missed by her city council colleagues, and our city’s residents, business owners, key stakeholders and staff. She played a significant role in moving this city forward making key decisions on items such as marijuana cultivation, aggressive panhandling, nonsmoking regulations and annexations of new land into the City of Fortuna. She was dedicated to trying to make this City a safe and healthy place for the citizens to live.”

Mayor Pro Tem Tami Trent said, “I enjoyed working with Linda. She truly cared about our City. She was a great asset to our Council and will be greatly missed.”

Council Member Doug Strehl said, “She was a very good friend and we went to school together here in Fortuna. She always stayed in touch with Fortuna and came back often for the events. She allowed me to convince her to serve on the planning commission before becoming a City Council Member. She wanted to keep Fortuna the “Friendly City,” she will be sorely missed.”

Council Member Tiara Brown said, “Linda was a strong and passionate leader. I valued most her caring attitude and real commitment to the citizens of Fortuna. I will miss her dearly.”

Mayor Long also commented, “Linda’s death leaves a huge hole in our hearts, our city and our community. She has been a tremendous leader in this community and truly deserves much credit for helping to improve the quality of life in Fortuna. I am blessed to have known her and developed a special friendship and bond with her over the last few years. My life is better because she was part of it, and I am heartbroken. Our hearts and prayers go out to her family and friends.”

Per Council Member Gardner’s request, there will be no services; she requested instead that, if desired, donations be made to the Fortuna Garden Club, P.O. Box 212, Fortuna, CA 95540.

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7 years ago

Thank you for trying to make Fortuna a better place .