Linda Joan (Digisi) Servidio

Linda Joan DiGisi Servidio, 90, of Gainesville, Florida and recently of Granville, Ohio, passed away peacefully on November 19, 2023 following a long and courageous battle with vascular dementia.

Linda was born on December 26, 1932 in Westport, Connecticut, the third and youngest child of Louise Daleo DiGisi and Orlando DiGisi. Growing up, she loved playing the trombone in the junior high and high school bands and spending time with her many aunts, uncles and cousins in Connecticut and New York. A 1950 graduate of Fort Lauderdale High School, Linda attended Florida State University briefly, where she auditioned and was awarded a place in the marching band (the “Marching Chiefs”) and where she forged life-long friendships and became a dedicated Seminole fan.

In February of 1953 at a family gathering in Stamford, CT she became reacquainted with Leo Servidio, whose family had long been friends with Linda’s parents, and who had just returned from 11 years of service in both World War II and Korea.  Linda loved to recount the story of how it was “love at first sight” for both of them on that day, even though they had initially met a decade earlier when she was a young girl. They married seven months later on September 12 in a beautiful celebration with over 500 guests in attendance. Linda and Leo enjoyed 58 years of marriage prior to his death in 2011.

In 1965, Leo moved his family from Connecticut to Florida, first to Fort Lauderdale and subsequently to Plantation, Coral Springs, and finally to Gainesville. More than anything else, Linda cherished her role as wife and mother. In Florida, she continued dedicating her life to making a wonderful memory-filled childhood for her three children, with days filled with family cookouts and birthday parties, beach outings and holiday celebrations. Italian dinners with grandparents every Sunday afternoon were particularly special: the family would spend hours at the table eating, drinking, laughing and talking. Other than her family, Linda’s loves included strawberry ice cream, the Oak Ridge Boys, anything Italian, and playing Scrabble with Leo for hours at the dining room table in Gainesville. She also delighted in meeting and interacting with customers at Lynn’s Hallmark in Gainesville, where she worked for 20 years once her children were grown.

Linda’s strong faith, support from family, and positive outlook helped her through two major illnesses in the 1990’s, both of which she navigated with grace, dignity, and with a perpetual smile on her face. Her smile and good nature persisted in her final years, despite the cruelty that is dementia.

Those left to mourn her passing and treasure her memory include her children, Dr. Susan Kennedy of Granville, OH; Michael (Judy) of Loudon, TN; Lisa Servidio of Gainesville; beloved granddaughter Shannon Elyse Sabo (Alex) of Occoquan, VA; many nieces and nephews.  She will be deeply missed every single day by all who knew her.

The family expresses their gratitude to the staff of Middleton Senior Living memory care and to Hospice of Central Ohio for their care and support during this difficult time.  In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Hospice of Central Ohio. https://www.hospiceofcentralohio.org/donate/donate-now.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, December 1, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Holy Faith Catholic Church, 747 NW 43rd St. Gainesville. The family will receive friends Thursday, November 30, 2023 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Williams-Thomas Funeral Home Downtown, 404 North Main St. Gainesville.  Please visit her memorial page at www.williamsthomasfuneralhome.com.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

WILLIAMS-THOMAS DOWNTOWN

352-376-7556.

McPeek Hoekstra Hoskinson Funeral Home is honored to care for Linda and her family.  Please visit www.McPeekHoekstra.com to share a special memory about Linda or to leave a message of condolence for the family.