In Loving Memory of Linda Suber
Dec. 8, 1940 - March 7, 2008
When Henry, my husband, and Emily Tinch asked me to write a memorial to our dear friend, Linda Suber, my mind started reliving years of remarkable memories of our working relationship and our friendship. As Henry and I launched Columbia Metropolitan magazine in the spring of 1990, Linda was on the scene. She was working for Barbara Rackes at the time at the Devine Street store and was an energetic source and partner for fashion articles plus photo shoots. I loved every minute of working with her on these projects because she made me laugh ... and laugh hard.
On one such occasion when she had me held in happy hysterics with some animated story, she let out an exhausted sigh and said, "Oh, it feels good to let loose again. I spent all day yesterday trying to tone it down." Since my imagination couldn't conjure a vision of a "toned down" Linda, I pushed her to explain.
One of her fashion friends had cautioned Linda about using too many facial expressions as she talked. "Linda, you are going to wrinkle like a prune if you keep that up," her well-intentioned friend admonished.
So for a full day, Linda tried speaking with less enthusiasm so as not to overwork her facial muscles. I think she nearly exploded in the process because she simply didn't know how to greet, talk or tell a story without her classic and wonderfully happy Heinz 57 variety of facial articulations. If you knew Linda, you can envision her now – a broad smile with perfect lipstick and a hearty, constant laugh that caused her eyes to widen and eyebrows to lift over anything that delighted her.
Linda soon started writing articles for Columbia Metropolitan, and much to my amazement, she successfully communicated her visual persona of wit and sparkle in her writing. I was not surprised that I could almost hear her speaking as I read her articles ... but the unexpected bonus was envisioning her expressions as well.
Thankfully, she decided not to adopt the toned-down approach to life. Whether pouring her talents into our magazine, into her beloved family including grandchildren or into her church, Linda did so with passion in her effort and in her heart that showed in all of her work and in her beautiful smile.
Linda was a gift to our staff and to our magazine readers. It is hard to say "goodbye" to someone we love as much as Linda. Thinking of her praising God in heaven brings me comfort and joy ... and imagining her telling the Apostle Paul, Moses or other saints some hilarious story makes me truly happy. I bet they love her expressivity!
Henry, Emily Tinch and the Columbia Metropolitan staff join me in celebrating Linda's life and extending our heartfelt sympathy to Shell, her husband, and the entire Suber family.
Sincerely,
Emily Clay
Editor of Columbia Metropolitan 1990 until 2000
About the cover:
Michael Nieri, president of Great Southern Homes, is the 2008 Scholarship House builder.
Photography by L. Hoke
This Issue