Linda Marion (Smith) Finn

January 28, 1945 - January 28, 2025

Having struggled with the ravages of ALS for the past year Linda chose to bookend her life by “Crossing the Bar” on her 80th birthday.

Linda lived every day to its fullest, filled with Art and Music, friends, family, good food, stimulating conversation, ever exploring new ideas, learning new techniques, making a contribution to her community and travelling to see the world.

She was constantly searching to create meaning in her life. In the end she found it. The last day she wrote in her journal. “Came into this world to love and going out with love.”

She brought great joy into our lives every day.

Linda was predeceased by her parents, Jean and Gordon Smith of Orillia and her older brother Paul(Cheryl) Smith of Vancouver. She is survived by her husband Murray, sons Mark (Alison) of Vernon, BC and Michael (Denise) of Fort Myers, FL, along with grandchildren Brandon and Cassie, as well as her younger brother John (Susan) Smith of Orillia and numerous nieces and nephews.

For the past 60 years Linda has been a practicing Artist. She was a member of and held leadership positions in the Elliot Lake Arts Club, The Northern Ontario Art Association, the

Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour and the Ontario Society of Artists. She participated in group shows with all these organization as well as numerous group shows across Canada, the United States, in Europe and Japan as well as many solo shows. Her work was sold in a number of galleries across Ontario. Her culminating achievement which spanned the last 20 years was a solo show titled “The War Letters Project”. It was shown in 11 different public galleries across Ontario and was finally documented in a movie she created shortly before her death titled “The Old Tin Box” which can be viewed be visiting her website www.lindafinn.com

She loved living in Elliot Lake. She freely enjoyed giving back to the community by volunteering numerous hours to help various Arts groups organize and promote their activities. Her skills as a designer were used to create posters, guidebooks and promotional materials for many events. She spearheaded many projects to enhance the city by creating Public Art displays that can be seen on the sides of buildings, free standing sculptures at different locations throughout the city. Recently she was honoured by Mayor and Council as volunteer of the year.

There will be no funeral but the family is planning a Celebration of Life in the spring. In lieu of flowers, tributes can be made by donating to Linda’s favourite cause Elliot Lake’s Public Art Program. Donations can be made online by visiting the secure site created by the City of Elliot Lake.

1. Visit elliotlake.ca/donate

2. Select Public Art Projects

3. Select an amount

4. Make the donation in Memory of Linda Finn

5. Enter contact information

6. Proceed to payment

The city will provide a tax receipt.