Linda Hughes Craig, 93, passed away at home as she wished on August 24, 2024 after an 8-year wrestling match with dementia. Her family, friends and care giver were with her continuously during the last few days. Yet, true to her independent nature, she waited until she was alone to go out her way.

Born Linda Hughes on February 5, 1931, to the late Archibald Hughes and Katherine Higgins, in Somerville New Jersey, she was the youngest of 8 children. She was the last surviving sibling and affectionately called the "Last of the Mohicans" by her family. Archibald Hughes Jr, Howard Hughes, Sarah Bouvier, Helen Holzhauser, Chestina Hughes, Catherine Steward, and George Hughes, all predeceased her. Linda's parents and older brothers died when she was quite young, so the older sisters, especially Chestina, took on the parenting and bread winning roles to keep the family together. Throughout her life, Linda proactively kept in touch with all her siblings.  Her family was terribly important to her, including the next generation of nieces, nephews and their children.

Linda graduated from Somerville High School in 1948 and attended nursing school at Orange Memorial Hospital in Orange New Jersey at a time when the nursing program boarded the students and administered a hands-on curriculum. She graduated in 1951 with an RN and practiced nursing for several years.

On March 13, 1954, she married William (Bill) Craig, an Electrical Engineer from Rensselaer Polytechnique Institute and local Somerville boy 4 years her senior. The couple resided in Verona, New Jersey. Her nursing career took a back seat to raising a family. Three sons and a daughter with special needs came along within the next few years. Driven by Bill's career, the family moved to Atlanta Georgia for 8 years, Rockville Maryland for 1 year, and back to Bernardsville New Jersey for 5 years before the big move to Los Altos Hills California in spring of 1972. She was predeceased by her husband Bill in 1981 and her son Bradford Hughes in 2021. She is survived by her sons Jonathan Dawes II (Linda), Parker William, daughter Barbara Jane, daughter-in-law Denise Phipps and grandchildren Jonathan Dawes III, Avery Margaret, Chestina Nicole and William Daniel. Linda loved Los Altos Hills, Byrne Preserve, the trails, the hikes and the rural atmosphere. She remained a dedicated resident for 52 years.

Linda cherished and cultivated her relationships with family, friends and neighbors old and new as she moved around the country. She was a source of information and advice. These relationships transcended generations and lasted throughout her lifetime. She organized family reunions, conducted detailed genealogy investigations, gave advice on all topics, took road trips across the country, and was always available to help during difficult times. She was a very good friend to many people and always very generous with her time. Being able to maintain these relationships became increasingly difficult as her dementia worsened.  Losing the ability to read and write combined with hearing loss and impaired vision took their toll on her normally positive outlook during the last few years.

Wherever Linda resided during her lifetime antique collecting and treasure hunting were a favorite pastime. She was very familiar with every antique shop, secondhand store and consignment shop within 50 miles, and visited them regularly. She was always generous with her finds and was constantly gifting to friends and family to make room for more treasures. It was all about the hunt and Linda could not leave a shop without picking up something. At the time of her death her home was full of 'treasures' and Linda had a collection of over 1000 handkerchiefs and hundreds of greeting cards.

Volunteering was also an emphasis for Linda. She spent many hours bonding with friends volunteering at the Terrace Restaurant, The Bargain Box, and Filoli Mansion and Café.

Linda dusted off her nursing credentials and went back to work as the kids grew up. She worked locally for Beverly Manor, followed by more than a decade at the VA Menlo Park before retiring in the mid 90's. Her nursing skills were also needed at home with her active family of four.  Over the years there were countless trips to the ER involving stitches, broken bones, concussions, cracked ribs and separated shoulders. Linda was on a first name basis at the local ER.

Linda definitely liked things "old school".  She shunned technology both at home and at work.  In fact, one of the driving forces behind her retirement from the VA was when computers were introduced as part of patient care.  "I'm a nurse who cares for patients, not one that types on a computer" she would grumble. She never owned a computer and relied on pen, paper and her land line to stay in touch and get things done.

During her last 5 years Linda had full-time care at home. Her caregiver Fifi kept Linda active with outings to the park, running errands, lunches out, visits to friends and family and of course trips to the thrift shops. Fifi was miraculous in the way she maintained and protected Linda's dignity while this insidious disease was grabbing hold. The family will be forever grateful for the wonderful care Linda received during this time.

Linda will be missed and lovingly remembered. In accordance with her wishes and non-attention-seeking nature there will be no service. Any sympathy in the form of a donation can be made to the Children's Health Council, Palo Alto CA .