Linda Frances Hayward

Linda Frances Hayward, PhD
On Saturday, October 10, 2020, Linda Frances Hayward, PhD, outstanding mother, adored wife, and
accomplished researcher, passed away after courageously fighting breast cancer for over 5 years.
Linda was born July 21, 1958 in Boston, MA to James and Shirley Hayward. She grew up in Los Angeles,
CA where her love of science and tennis were formed. She attended the University of California-Santa
Cruz, where she was a leading member of the women’s tennis team, for her undergraduate studies and
the University of Washington for her Master of Science in Kinesiology. She then moved to Chicago, IL to
pursue a PhD in Physiology at Northwestern University, which she completed in 1990. During this time,
she met and fell in love with Kenneth A. Marx, whom she married in 1989. They started their family in
Iowa City, IA, where their two sons, Dagan and Neal, were born.
After completing her post-doctoral training at The University of Iowa, Dr. Hayward became a professor
in the Department of Physiological Sciences at the University of Florida. She received tenure and
promotion in 2004, becoming only the second woman in her department to do so. Dr. Hayward spent
the remainder of her life pursuing her research to better understand relationships between neuronal
pathways and cardiac function. Linda retained a joyful curiosity about her research throughout her
career, and her passion translated into numerous awards, publications, and praise from those she
taught and mentored. She successfully devoted herself in serving as an inspiring and effective role
model in all aspects of her life: as a mother and to aspiring students, junior faculty, and women in
science. Among her many accomplishments were receiving the Pfizer Award for Veterinary Research
Excellence in 2012 and the C.E. Cornelius Young Investigator Award in 2003. She also taught
cardiovascular physiology and neuroscience and directed the Florida Veterinary Scholars Program for
many years.
Dr. Linda Hayward was a tireless advocate for diversity and equity in all aspects of life. Her adoration of
discovery and trying new things flowed to her continued love of tennis, bike riding, art, mystery novels
and movies, travel, and dogs. She danced through life with a natural calmness, grace and beauty that
was most obvious in the love she had for Ken, Dagan, Neal, and their numerous dogs. Linda’s presence
enriched their lives every day and exerts itself in ever-unfolding ways. Linda was preceded in death by
her parents James (“Rocky”) and Shirley, and is survived by her husband Ken, sons Dagan and Neal,
sister Jean, brother John and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.