Linda Lamme
May 1, 2021
The world lost a truly amazing woman when Linda Leonard Lamme passed away on May 1, 2021. She was born on April 21, 1942 in Babylon, Long Island. Growing up she excelled in school and was an accomplished athlete, participating in every available sport and extracurricular activity as well as studying ballet, cello, and piano. She was an avid Girl Scout and often reminisced about the life-changing impact of meeting fellow scouts from very diverse backgrounds at Camp Edey on Long Island. She retained a lifelong love of nature and the outdoors. In later years, she played softball, basketball and volleyball with Lavender Menace in Gainesville. Hiking, camping, and kayaking were always among her favorite pastimes, and she spent many summers at a cabin she helped build in Cazenovia, NY.
Linda studied at Principia College and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign before earning a PhD in Education at Syracuse University. Along the way she taught in elementary schools in Illinois, Indiana and New York.
From 1974 to 2010 Linda was a professor in the College of Education at the University of Florida, with a focus on emerging literacy and multicultural children’s literature. She was quite visible in her career as an educator with a strong and passionate social justice stance. She is known for work in the field of children’s literature and acted fervently on her belief that books, especially those with explicit perspectives on race, poverty, and gender identity, were critical to educating children and preparing the next generation of teachers. She mentored and co-published papers with numerous graduate students, many of whom became dear lifelong friends. She loved her students and her mission to inspire readers, and only retired when forced to by Alzheimer's.
She was twice recognized as “Teacher of the Year” for her college. Of her many publications, the best-known were her books “Growing up Writing” and “Growing Up Reading,” about which she was interviewed on ABC’s Good Morning America. She was very involved with area public schools and developed many creative programs for encouraging children to love reading and writing. She also worked hard to support the acceptance of LGBT students, teachers and families in schools. When awarded the University of Florida President’s Humanitarian Award for her service as chair of the UF LGBT Concerns Committee, she remarked, “My whole life’s work came together today”.
Despite her busy professional schedule and role as a community activist, she was an incredible mother, finding countless ways to nurture her kids’ talents and imagination and never missing a single theater performance or piano recital. She always returned from professional conferences with a signed book or two for her children.
Raised as a Christian Scientist, Linda later attended Trinity MCC in Gainesville and Faith Presbyterian Church in Melrose. Her faith was a great comfort and inspiration to her and she always recognized and sang along with her favorite hymns, even after speaking became difficult. She loved singing alto in church choirs and in local chorus groups like the Sweet Notes and Sister Song. Linda adored animals. Wherever she sat, there were always several cats near her. In retirement she became a familiar sight on Haile Plantation trails, walking her dog Sarah and picking up endless amounts of litter from the trails and roadsides.
She is survived by her partner of 25 years Elaine Henjum, children Ary and Laurel (Josh Braley), and granddaughters Winnie and Cassie.
Throughout her extraordinary life, Linda touched countless teachers, students and friends. She will be remembered for her curiosity, cheerfulness, kindness, boundless energy, and strong faith that every person can do something to make a better world.
Linda studied at Principia College and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign before earning a PhD in Education at Syracuse University. Along the way she taught in elementary schools in Illinois, Indiana and New York.
From 1974 to 2010 Linda was a professor in the College of Education at the University of Florida, with a focus on emerging literacy and multicultural children’s literature. She was quite visible in her career as an educator with a strong and passionate social justice stance. She is known for work in the field of children’s literature and acted fervently on her belief that books, especially those with explicit perspectives on race, poverty, and gender identity, were critical to educating children and preparing the next generation of teachers. She mentored and co-published papers with numerous graduate students, many of whom became dear lifelong friends. She loved her students and her mission to inspire readers, and only retired when forced to by Alzheimer's.
She was twice recognized as “Teacher of the Year” for her college. Of her many publications, the best-known were her books “Growing up Writing” and “Growing Up Reading,” about which she was interviewed on ABC’s Good Morning America. She was very involved with area public schools and developed many creative programs for encouraging children to love reading and writing. She also worked hard to support the acceptance of LGBT students, teachers and families in schools. When awarded the University of Florida President’s Humanitarian Award for her service as chair of the UF LGBT Concerns Committee, she remarked, “My whole life’s work came together today”.
Despite her busy professional schedule and role as a community activist, she was an incredible mother, finding countless ways to nurture her kids’ talents and imagination and never missing a single theater performance or piano recital. She always returned from professional conferences with a signed book or two for her children.
Raised as a Christian Scientist, Linda later attended Trinity MCC in Gainesville and Faith Presbyterian Church in Melrose. Her faith was a great comfort and inspiration to her and she always recognized and sang along with her favorite hymns, even after speaking became difficult. She loved singing alto in church choirs and in local chorus groups like the Sweet Notes and Sister Song. Linda adored animals. Wherever she sat, there were always several cats near her. In retirement she became a familiar sight on Haile Plantation trails, walking her dog Sarah and picking up endless amounts of litter from the trails and roadsides.
She is survived by her partner of 25 years Elaine Henjum, children Ary and Laurel (Josh Braley), and granddaughters Winnie and Cassie.
Throughout her extraordinary life, Linda touched countless teachers, students and friends. She will be remembered for her curiosity, cheerfulness, kindness, boundless energy, and strong faith that every person can do something to make a better world.
Arrangements for Linda have been entrusted to the care of Crevasse's Simple Cremation,Gainesville, Florida. Online condolences as well as fond memories may be left for the Lamme family by visiting www.Crevassesimplecremation.com
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