Linda J. Fotieo

Linda Jane Fotieo (Vanden Bosch), wife, mother, friend and queen of everything, passed away on April 18, 2019 from complications after a very long, hard-fought battle with Multiple Myeloma. Linda had beauty, strength, grace and grit. She was a force of nature who exuded unfathomable positivity and an embrace of all that’s good in life. She was a source of wisdom and inspiration for many.

Born May 8, 1951 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Linda grew up the middle child of three close-knit sisters. She was always free spirited and spent her post-college ‘vagabond years’ traveling the South working in law firms, before settling back in Grand Rapids where she met a handsome young Greek lawyer who was lucky to marry her. Together they built a rich and full life, raising three children who all considered her their best friend.

Linda is referred to as “the Queen” by her friends, of whom she has many. She was quick to laugh, slow to judge and never let people sell themselves short. She is considered a second mother to many friends and relatives. Her favorite place to be was at a big table surrounded by loved ones, her dogs, twinkly lights, good food and wine.

Linda had a love for design, a knack for hard work, and a natural embrace of all kinds of domestic projects. She restored historical residential buildings and managed apartments for years. When tenants had repair issues at 2am she answered them. When her daughters needed help picking out curtains, she did that too. She kept her home spotless and loved to entertain. Her Thanksgiving stuffing recipe is a fixture at many holiday tables.

All the while Linda devoted herself to a life of faith and service. She volunteered her time with the Holy Trinity Philoptochos Society, Junior League of Grand Rapids, Ronald McDonald House, Mary Free Bed and the Humane Society of West Michigan, among others. She mentored newly diagnosed cancer patients until last week. She was quick to help anyone who needed it.

Linda has left behind an example of how life is not defined by what happens to us, it is defined by how we choose to react to what happens to us. She lived to the absolute fullest right to the end. Her personal mantra was “build from here,” refusing to quit or give one day away without a fight. And she did so with optimism and grace.

Linda is survived by her husband Themis, children Cristina and son-in-law Chris Leon, Marisa, and Steven. Also her mother Dorothy Vanden Bosch, sisters Cheryl (Stuart) Cheney, Lori Vanden Bosch, and many beloved nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her father, George Vanden Bosch.

Her family will greet friends on Sunday from 5 to 7:30pm at the Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Home with the Trisagion Service at 6pm. The funeral service will be at 11am Monday April 22, 2019 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 330 Lakeside Dr. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Philoptochos Philanthropic Society, care of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.

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