Linda Elsbeth Morton's Obituary
Linda Morton, 71, of Clearwater, passed away peacefully on November 27, 2023, at Empath (Suncoast) Hospice after a long and courageous fight with lung cancer. Linda was born on March 22, 1952, to Dolly and Harry Hartman and grew up in Chicago, “Ellinois.” She loved sharing childhood stories about the Lincoln Park Zoo, Second City and other Old Town favorites. Linda was an enthusiastic and dedicated Spanish teacher and guidance counselor at Safety Harbor Middle School for more than three decades. Her students thought she was “the coolest,” much to the chagrin of her own children when they were in middle school! Before entering the school system, Linda worked at Nielsen and in various retail establishments. No job got less than her 110%! Linda and her husband and best friend of 39 years, Robert Morton, raised their children, Carina and Matthew, in Dunedin. They loved being part of the community, volunteering for many years with the Little League and watching the area grow into the destination that it is today. Linda’s passion for animals, jewelry, flowers, cooking, ballet, travel and foreign languages lives on in her children and grandchild. She never saw a dog she didn’t want to meet or a squirrel she didn’t want to feed. Linda was kind to all, and resolved and tireless in her support of her family and in the face of every life challenge. She will be dearly missed and always loved as “hot as the sun…” Linda is preceded in death by her parents, brother Jerry Hartman, sister-in-law Iris Hartman and sister Elizabeth Hartman Blue. Linda leaves, in mourning and celebration, husband Robert Morton, son Matthew Morton, daughter Carina Storrs Evans, son-in-law Matthew Evans, granddaughter Claretta Linda Evans and two sweet terrier pups, Mitchell and Teddy. There will be a small private service for family. In honor of Linda, please consider making a donation to Wounded Warriors and the SPCA Tampa Bay.
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