Last month the task fell to me, Lianne Downey, to post this sad news on social media about one of Jolibro's most successful authors (and my big sister), Linda Jo Hunter. Here's a version of what I wrote on my Facebook page and hers:
Nov. 4, 2024: "For the past two birthdays, my sister Linda Jo Hunter has been obsessed with finding the perfect piece of classic chocolate layer cake. Well, not finding it necessarily but definitely EATING it. So in her honor, would you please join us in enjoying a piece of chocolate cake as a tribute to her? Because early this morning she left this world for her next tracking journey on the other side. This change in circumstances was so sudden, we are stunned.
Diagnosed with a recurrence and spread of her previous rare form of breast cancer just last week, and determined not to burden anyone, she climbed that last mountain as quickly as she hoped she would and summited triumphantly today.
We are heartbroken—she leaves a big hole in the fabric of life! But we are also grateful for our time with her, and for all the wisdom she left behind for the rest of us in her books, her art, and in our memories. She was my big sister, best friend, substitute mother, and excellent author/artist/teacher. We love you forever, Linda Jo. Onward and forward!! And our hugs and thoughts are with her Mike and family members.
Please be happy for her and fully enjoy that special piece of cake in tribute! As she told me last week when I said I'd miss my big sister, 'Just ask, what would Linda do?'
Well, she would savor every bite."
* * * *
In the weeks since, I've often caught myself smiling between tears, thinking how happy it would make Linda to know about all those people who got to enjoy a big piece of chocolate cake on her behalf! And apparently, a lot of people did just that, along with sharing good memories and photos of her, and I personally thank them for that. Means so much.
You will soon find most of the contents of her previous website here, on Jolibro's Linda Jo Hunter page, as soon as we figure out how to make that happen. And of course, there's no time limit on that chocolate cake tribute, whether you knew her personally, or are a fan of her books, her art, her tracking classes, or just a friend who benefitted from her happy attitude and sage advice. She will feel your tribute, I'm sure, because I can hear her now, exclaiming over this wondrous phenomenon of people freely eating chocolate cake in her honor! #