[Oe List ...] In Loving Memory of Linda Alton

Thu Jun 19 02:56:41 PDT 2025

Thank you both for triggering wonderful memories - that year in the Denver
House.  As I recall, Jan Dodds and I were charged to keep an eye on Jody
Dressler and Shirley Bell.  Ken Gilbert was doing an internship at Denver
General Hospital as well as the Religious House.  Jan and I were both
working at the Univ. of Colorado Medical Center.

And I've forgotten how many of you were assigned to attend East High School
- maybe it was not too different from being in 5th City.  Jan  and I also
learned that Sunday was not a day off to go skiing or play tennis!

One of my favorite times with Linda was driving a Uhaul with somebody's
stuff to Chicago for the big summer shift!  A long drive across a big
prairie!

Gail

On Tue, Jun 3, 2025 at 11:08 AM David Marshall via OE <
oe at lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:

> Dick,
>
> I remember you and Linda were second priors at the Denver Religious House
> in 1971-72, when Tim and Kay Lush were the first priors; and you found the
> tunnel the Order kids had dug out from our basement dorm, our own Steve
> McQueen Great Escape.
>
> Linda was a kind and loving soul, and more more patient and forgiving than
> we rambunctious teenagers deserved for all our shenanigans. The Denver RH
> was my best growth year during my 6-year Youth Deployment period, in large
> part because of the strong and steady leadership of the priors. What a
> beautiful tribute you gave her. ❤️
>
> David
>
> Sent from my iPhone
> David Marshall
> www.marshallbooks.net
>
>
> On Jun 2, 2025, at 8:37 PM, Susan Fertig via OE <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net>
> wrote:
>
> 
>
> Oh, my—news I wasn’t expecting and wouldn’t have wanted, but with which I
> rejoice with you, Dick, in celebrating Linda’s life.
>
>
>
> She was always such an inspiration to me when I was working in Croatia and
> Bosnia. I remember very fondly when she came to help us with a 50-person
> facilitation training (and our skinny dipping at midnight in the hotel
> pool!). She was always ready to try anything and she always had such wise
> counsel for us. Likewise, when I (frequently) drove to Belgium and
> participated in your training sessions there and other meetings, I always
> looked to Linda for sage analysis of whatever situation presented. I hadn’t
> seen her in years, but I’ll miss her!
>
>
>
> *Susan*
>
>
>
> Susan Fertig-Dykes
>
>
>
> *And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in
> drought .  Isaiah 58:11*
>
>
>
> *From:* OE <oe-bounces at lists.wedgeblade.net> *On Behalf Of *Richard Alton
> via OE
> *Sent:* Monday, June 02, 2025 7:57 PM
> *To:* Order Ecumenical Community <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net>; Colleague
> Dialogue <dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net>
> *Cc:* Richard Alton <richard.alton at gmail.com>
> *Subject:* [Oe List ...] In Loving Memory of Linda Alton
>
>
>
> *In Loving Memory of Linda Alton *
>
> Linda Alton’s life was one of courage, conviction, and compassionate
> service. From her early days at the University of California,
> Berkeley—where she earned both her B.A. and M.A. between 1963 and
> 1970—Linda was a powerful force for change. As editor of the *Berkeley
> Yearbook* and an active voice in the Free Speech Movement and the
> anti-Vietnam War resistance, she stood firmly for justice and truth, even
> when it wasn’t easy.
>
> While still a student, Linda journeyed to Harlem to work in storefront
> schools, helping high school students who had dropped out find their way
> back to education and hope. It was there she encountered the Ecumenical
> Institute, whose mission of global community service would soon become her
> own. In 1970, she joined the Institute’s staff in San Francisco, beginning
> a lifelong commitment to international development and human dignity.
>
> In 1976, with her young daughter Christina by her side, Linda moved to the
> Philippines to co-direct a USAID-funded community development project with
> the newly formed Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA). There, she led
> efforts to support women’s small businesses, empowering families and
> transforming communities from the ground up.
>
> Her journey continued to Kenya, where Linda and her growing
> family—including her second daughter, Kay, born in Nairobi—devoted
> themselves to uplifting lives in both urban slums and rural villages.
> Together with a local staff of 150, she helped shape development
> initiatives that reached thousands of communities across the country.
>
> Later, in Brussels, Belgium, Linda served as Program Director at ICA’s
> global headquarters, bringing her deep wisdom, compassion, and leadership
> to an international stage.
>
> She moved to Minnesota with her partner Lynne Larsen to create a home for
> themselves in Minneapolis. She was a lead technical trainer/convenor with
> Minnesota Technology of Participation up until she retired.
>
> Linda’s legacy is not just found in the places she lived or the programs
> she led—but in the countless lives she touched, the justice she stood for,
> and the love she gave so freely. Her spirit lives on in the communities she
> served and in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. (Daughters:
> Christina & Katherine Alton, Grandson: Wyatt Wren, Wife: Lynne Larsen)
>
>
>
>
>
> --
>
> Richard H. T. Alton
>
> ICA Global Fund
>
> United Methodist Net Zero
>
> T: 773.344.7172
>
> richard.alton at gmail.com
>
> Make Plain the Vision, Habakkuh 2:2
>
> Won't you be my neighbor?
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>

-- 
*Gail West*
email) icataiw at gmail.com
www.icatw.com
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