Obituary for Linda Gail Cella
Linda Gail Cella passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre after a long battle with COPD.
An avid lover of animals, Linda had many pets over her lifetime and could never resist the opportunity to give a furry little face in need a new home. One of the many reasons her son Robert often referred to her as the “patron saint of lost animals”.
A long time athlete, she competed in gymnastics, competitive fastball, and many other sports as a teenager. And as an adult she participated in mixed slow pitch, and her true passion 10 pin bowling, well into her 60s. She enjoyed competing in many adult baseball and bowling leagues and tournaments and cherished the friendships she formed during those years. Linda also loved nature and the outdoors. She could often be found sitting on a dock, or by the river, at her parent’s camp at Kashabowie River resort, quietly fishing from sun up till sundown on a Sunday in the summers.
Linda began her hairstyling career at age 16, ascending to shop manager by age 18. She would later purchase the salon “The Cut Above’ at only age 21, which she owned and operated for more than 35+ years; including expanding to a second location in the final decade of her career.
Known for her feisty spirit and quick wit she was the epitome of the strong, confident, independent, successful, modern woman who balanced a successful career and family life, while still managing to give back to the community through her over 40 years as a youth bowling coaching. Mario’s Bowl was often her second home where she was on many local and provincial boards for youth and adult associations, president of many adults leagues and Program Director for the 10 pin youth league for decades. She took great pride in the accomplishments of her youth bowlers. Regularly travelling as the team coach, kids under her tutelage participated in 25+ national championships , 30+ provincial championships, with a few of her bowlers even competing at the international level.
She is survived by her husband James, son Robert and daughter-in-law Marliss. She is predeceased by her parents Tony and Rita Phillips and in-laws Bill Sr and Rose Cella. Linda will be sorely missed by all her friends, and family, including her beloved dog Charlie and her sons’ family pets.
Cremation has taken place and visitation will be held at the Blake Funeral Chapel Thursday, November 10th, from 7:00-9:00pm. A private interment of ashes will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Linda’s memory would be appreciated to the Canadian Lung Association, the Thunder Bay Humane Society, or a charity of your choice.
“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
~ Love James, Robert and Marliss
An avid lover of animals, Linda had many pets over her lifetime and could never resist the opportunity to give a furry little face in need a new home. One of the many reasons her son Robert often referred to her as the “patron saint of lost animals”.
A long time athlete, she competed in gymnastics, competitive fastball, and many other sports as a teenager. And as an adult she participated in mixed slow pitch, and her true passion 10 pin bowling, well into her 60s. She enjoyed competing in many adult baseball and bowling leagues and tournaments and cherished the friendships she formed during those years. Linda also loved nature and the outdoors. She could often be found sitting on a dock, or by the river, at her parent’s camp at Kashabowie River resort, quietly fishing from sun up till sundown on a Sunday in the summers.
Linda began her hairstyling career at age 16, ascending to shop manager by age 18. She would later purchase the salon “The Cut Above’ at only age 21, which she owned and operated for more than 35+ years; including expanding to a second location in the final decade of her career.
Known for her feisty spirit and quick wit she was the epitome of the strong, confident, independent, successful, modern woman who balanced a successful career and family life, while still managing to give back to the community through her over 40 years as a youth bowling coaching. Mario’s Bowl was often her second home where she was on many local and provincial boards for youth and adult associations, president of many adults leagues and Program Director for the 10 pin youth league for decades. She took great pride in the accomplishments of her youth bowlers. Regularly travelling as the team coach, kids under her tutelage participated in 25+ national championships , 30+ provincial championships, with a few of her bowlers even competing at the international level.
She is survived by her husband James, son Robert and daughter-in-law Marliss. She is predeceased by her parents Tony and Rita Phillips and in-laws Bill Sr and Rose Cella. Linda will be sorely missed by all her friends, and family, including her beloved dog Charlie and her sons’ family pets.
Cremation has taken place and visitation will be held at the Blake Funeral Chapel Thursday, November 10th, from 7:00-9:00pm. A private interment of ashes will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Linda’s memory would be appreciated to the Canadian Lung Association, the Thunder Bay Humane Society, or a charity of your choice.
“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
~ Love James, Robert and Marliss