Linda R. Greene

Linda Greene passed away on June 24, 2025. She was 75 years old.

She was born in Medina, Ohio graduating in 1968. She attended Capital University in Bexley, Ohio for two years and graduated from the University of Akron with a Bachelor of Education in 1972. In the fall she began teaching fifth grade at Garfield Elementary School in Medina. She married her first husband in 1970 and became a stay-at-home mom after the birth of her first daughter in 1975 followed by the birth of her second daughter in 1978. In 1984 she married the love of her life, Ralph Greene and added one son and four more daughters to her family. At that time, she moved to Springfield Township where she was a resident for the past 40 years. She worked many years as a substitute teacher until she became a Head Start preschool teacher for Akron Summit Community Action, Inc. in October of 1993. After 22 years of service, she retired in 2015. She was a member of the Springfield Township Women’s Club for many years.

In high school she was active in 4-H and her church youth group where she served as President of the Luther League. She played the piano, flute, bassoon, and trumpet. Her favorite subject in school was math and she had a passion for art. She loved to travel. In 1963 her family started going south to Florida each winter and she traveled to New York City and Dallas as a teenager. While studying at Capital University she traveled to Israel and Europe where she visited Athens, Rome, and Paris. She went on many vacations in the seventies and when she married Ralph they bonded over their shared love of travel. They enjoyed visiting family in Georgia and Florida. They also loved to visit the beach, Disney World, historical sites, and the western United States. She often took trips with her sister and in the most recent years, she enjoyed trips with her girlfriends.

She was an incredible mother full of love and wisdom that she shared with everyone around her. Linda and Ralph provided a warm, loving home for their seven children and generously extended that same love to friends and all who entered their lives. Linda cherished being a grandmother, finding joy in spoiling her grandchildren, sharing her witty sense of sense of humor, and creating lasting memories.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ralph Greene, parents C.W. and Rita (Gunkelman) Klooz, sister-in-law Royale Klooz, stepdaughters Karen Greene and Lynette Barton, and step grandson Jamie Greene. She is survived by sisters Nancy Klooz and Lori (Bob) Reed, and brother Robert Klooz. Daughters Krista Shaffer, Kate (Ryan) Pinkus, and granddaughters Ally and Mila Pinkus. Stepchildren Sheryl (Mark) Clounie, David Greene, and Linda (Bruce) Thompson; and step grandchildren, Clifton Skeen, Shelby and Kaley Greene, Joshua (Maddy), Anna and Kaitlin Clounie, Rachel and Caleb Thompson. Bonus daughters Meghan Jucius, Laura Kelly, and Erika Hosey; and extended family members and cherished friends. The family would like to thank Traditions Health Hospice Care and recent care takers Monique Gordon and Grace Lindquist.

Calling hours are Sunday, June 29 from 2 to 4 p.m. and a memorial service at 4 p.m., both at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home, 547 Canton Road, Akron, Ohio 44312.