Linda Darlene Petela, born October 7, 1947, passed peacefully on May 29, 2026, at the age of 78. Known for her warm laugh, generous heart, and tireless devotion to family. Linda lived a life marked by kindness and quiet strength.

Linda grew up with a love of home and hearth that stayed with her all her life. She was a stay-at-home mom until her youngest children were in grade school. She worked as a secretary for the anesthesia department at KVMC and then as a factory worker at World Harbors along with a several other part time jobs as a waitress at the Civic Center and the Elks club.

She was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who celebrated children's milestones with enthusiasm and steady support. Her home was a gathering place where celebrations, more casual coffee stop ins, and Yahtzee games were welcomed alike. Linda loved watching family members grow and succeed, always ready with encouragement, a listening ear, or a plate of her second dinners.

Her favorite times were at the house on Burns Rd when all her children were together, neighbors were her constant companions like Jeannie Breault and Donna Johnston, and where her chosen family, the Lewandowski's, came to stay while transitioning from Michigan to Maine. Her home was welcoming and people stopped in for a coffee or a good conversation. She is proceeded by her parents Leslie and Florene Maass and nephew Justin T. Simmons and her husband and one true love, Mark Leon Petela with whom she shared 47 years.

They were kids themselves when they first encountered each other. Linda and her sister Judy were being pursued by unwanted company at a McDonalds in Michigan. She and Judy jumped into Mark's car to evade them. Mark began pursuing Linda after, but she thought she was too tall for him and encouraged her sister Judy to go out with him. But he only had eyes for Linda. Eventually she caved and went on a date with him. She saw his kindness with her little sisters and they fell in love. They had a loving life together and the pursuit didn't end for 47 years. He passed in 2013 and she learned to live without him but never loved another. Linda survived a stroke in 2019 that left her without speech. In the early days after surviving the stroke she saw a picture of her husband and uttered "My Mark". These were the only words she uttered for the next six years. His love for her and hers for him were the only teather to her words from then on.

Survived by her sisters Judy, Roberta, Sherry and brother Les and her children, Melissa Coulombe and husband David, son Matthew Petela, daughter Miranda Comer and husband Timothy, daughter Michelle Pooler and husband Jeffrey and son Michael Petela and his beloved Lisa. Also, her grandson Mark T. Petela and many more grandchildren and great grandchildren. Including her honorary grandson Jake Barrows who made her coffee every morning and made sure her feet were tucked in every night. Jake always made sure she had at least two Reese‘s pieces peanut butter cups at bedtime for a snack. She told him daily to go shave. (Go shave Jake!)

A celebration of Linda's life will be held to honor her memory and the love she shared. Family and friends are invited to bring favorite memories or a dish to share, continuing the generous spirit she modeled.

Linda's presence brightened ordinary days and made hard times more bearable. She taught those who knew her the power of kindness, selflessness and immense strength and the quiet ways her love shaped those she left behind.

Family was Linda's greatest joy. She will be deeply missed for her ready smile and comforting hugs.

Her funeral will be held July 31, 2026 at 1 pm at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery off of Mount Vernon Road.