Strong willed, hard working and independent Lin returned to work as a new Mum in the late seventies taking on her first role at Ringway Machine Tools as receptionist and quickly working her way into the accounts department. The 1980's saw Lin adopt her next role as bookkeeper at Mid Cheshire Motor Factors in Northwich, where she created a solid job for herself and made a number of close friends. Lin could always turn her hand to anything she wanted, both professionally and personally - her drive and enthusiasm for life ensured she pursued those activities which she so greatly desired.
With determination she began training in the Martial Art of Ju Jitsu in the early 1980's and quickly achieved black belt status. Touring around Europe competing in a variety of tournaments; was certainly 'girls on tour' experience, one which she mightily enjoyed!!! We have the pictures to prove it!!
Her career continued to flourish at P & O Vending where she was promoted to Office Manager, after relocating, for a brief spell to Birmingham. She sought a new role back in the North West due to the drain of the daily commute to spaghetti junction. In 1992 Linda bought a cosy studio flat in Hartford, where Karen joined her, making their friendship closer than ever. Instead of sharing a double bed, Lin made a tiny loft room for Karen, still though reprimanding her little girl……"Is that room tidy yet"?!
1993 saw the birth of a new role for Lin at Manchester Valve and Fitting in Warrington as Sales Engineer - a role which she was made for and she enjoyed her time immensely. Looloo (AKA Lin) and Steve met in 1995, still living in Hartford and Steve residing in sunny Greenbank. Their friendship grew strong and soon developed into a lifelong relationship. Moving to the beautiful "Stables" in Whatcroft Hall for a year, before buying their four bed detached home in Middlewich by the canal and river. This was one of Lin's better decisions, as the housing market was just on the up! This enabled us to buy the villa in Spain and retire early!
On a cold and rainy day in Winsford Karen found a stray, skinny Springer Spaniel - lost and lonely, looking for a home. Charlie was adopted and Cidders as he was otherwise known, then became the third love of Lin's life - and the cheapest at £20, donated to the local dog pound! Lin loved Charlie so much that he could never do any wrong. One cold, wet Winters day when she brought him back from a long walk, he was shaking uncontrollably with cold and near exhaustion, Lin warmed up some Heinz soup to make him feel better!
The pecking order in the family was Charlie Dog, Karen and finally Steve. Had we adopted a pet tortoise, Steve would have been relegated to 4th position!! The "Windings" at Middlewich was the beginning of the BBQ era and Lin would find absolutely any excuse to have one. Lin adored entertaining friends. This culminated in the pinnacle BBQ on Steve's surprise 50th Birthday party, where she laid on a bar, supplied by Peaky and a cabaret on the bandstand in the back garden, spilling out onto the canal for all Middlewich to enjoy the singing and live music.
Lin loved to enjoy herself, but more so, gained much pleasure from seeing others having a good time. She could always rustle up a hot meal from the cheap shelf at Tesco's - kicking the pensioners out of the way to get to the best bargains first!
Her best bargain had to be the mosquito net for a pound from the boat jumble, confirming "it would come in really useful one day"!
Her most memorable trip of a lifetime was to Dubai to stay in the only 7* hotel in the World -The Burg Al Arab. £500 a night, excluding breakfast and £100 added to the bill for the butler to run her a bath with fresh flower petals and essential oils. Lin's retort upon receipt of the bill was……"yeah well…..but it dead good and we'll never do it again"!! When the time came to pack and leave, Lin insisted on removing every solitary item from the room; soap, brush, cologne, perfume….announcing that "we've paid for it, so we're having it"!!
Lin always thought about things; her pleasures in life were simple, with very few demands. Her gratitude and appreciation of a thoughtful gesture or gift from friends or family would simply make her glow with joy. Christmas was one of her favourite times of the year - presents were always bought from June onwards. Food, drink, tree, presents were all top priority. The purchasing of the gifts was most special to Lin, she devoured the buying, wrapping, but more so the opening. Simple things made Lin smile.
Lin's kindness and endless generosity, continually giving to others and rarely taking in return, showed her true character. Her strength and determination to always have things 'just so' in her life. Her famous stews and soups bubbling on the stove for Steve after work and the mini dinners she would save and re-heat at 11pm for Karen after a long journey up the M6.
The love, compassion and tenderness for all those who surrounded her truly made her unique, she touched the lives of every single person she met.
Linda Joy Blackburn will be eternally loved, forever appreciated and even though she is not here, we will all feel her presence and a small piece of her will be with us all.
An open letter in loving memory of
Linda Joy Blackburn
12.04.1955 ~ 09.01.2008
To all the friends and relatives who contributed to the final farewell of Lin
~ A very special Lady.
Whether by telephone call, sympathy card, contribution to MacMillan Cancer Support ~ or by attendance at her funeral ~ you have all helped enormously at this very difficult time.
A sincere thank you to each and every one of you.
Love ~ Karen, Steve and Charlie Dog
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