Linda Butler was born on February 13, 1968 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her demise was witnessed by this writer on May 15, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. Linda was 53 years of age at the moment of her passing. Linda was an amazing woman. In all ways, concepts and aspects, Linda had immediately, then consistently proven herself to be the best partner a man could hope for. At the time of our introduction in the year 2017, Linda was enduring excruciatingly painful consequences of her chosen maladaptive lifestyle. These are inclusive of extended homelessness resulting from life-long and significant chemical dependency// substance abuse issues and any conceivable, undesirable resulting circumstances implied by the lifestyle. Presently contemplating our relationship, and despite the previously stated, Linda often conveyed to me that she considered herself blessed. This was apparent to me, beginning the moment we met. Among Linda's many God-given blessings and personality attributes, immediately manifesting and then to be consistently observed, was intelligence at the highest of levels. This was to become evidenced by documentation received from multiple collegiate institutions. Multiple degrees were awarded to her. Linda, prior to our relationship, had initiated her undertaking of the academia associated with Social Work and Addictions Counseling. Observed was the completion and the reception of Linda's degree in Addiction Counseling. Multiple, and the highest of academic honors accompany her degree. Completion of academia and credentialing required for the title of LCSW were among her current aspirations. Related research and planning necessary to Linda's resuming pursuit of this objective were in progression at the time of her passing. Innate in Linda was her unnatural ability and efficiency at effortlessly decimating into nothingness any and all of the obstacles and obstructions that presented in her many aspirations following our receipt of residential safety, security and stability. Her exhibited levels of faith in her God, resilience and tenacity inspired, and produced awe in those who made her acquaintance. Additionally, Linda's empathic abilities and her comprehension of human nature were beyond description. Facilitated by her religious and spiritual convictions, practiced ritualistically, Linda's genuine, fiercely driven compassion for all people, with specific, intense focus regarding the afflicted, was evidenced by any and all privileged enough to have experienced her presence. Linda consistently, whole heartedly and selflessly inspired, motivated, encouraged, and should necessity dictate, assisted all whom she encountered. Reward, ego, greed and other negatively oriented personality characteristics were foreign concepts to Linda, beyond her comprehension, and certainly far beneath and unworthy of residency within her spirit.  Linda had expressed many times such concepts and applications to be considered as worth less than nothing to her, worth far less than zero as to purpose or value. In any and all conceivable aspects, Linda was a blessing, inspiration and source of strength, a tremendous asset to not only myself personally, but to the family who quickly came to whole-heartedly accept, then to love and welcome her into it. Words are insufficient mechanisms as to expressions of my losses and sorrows resulting from Linda's passing. Words are inadequate means of describing the significance and degree of loss to what was to become her world should her time of re-emergence into society have arrived. Blessed are those who experienced even a fleeting glimpse of this masterpiece under construction. There were no limits or constraints to what Linda could do, become, or to what could have been. When I met Linda, she was unloved, homeless and alone. This is evidenced by Linda's self-disclosure to me in our beginning, then repeatedly reinforced by observation over time. Long ago Linda had been ostracized in the familial, social and societal aspects, but she was rapidly rising again. During the infancy of our relationship, both being homeless, I made Linda a promise, one of many, that she would never be unloved or homeless again. In accordance with and in fulfillment of said promise, following my management of her final arrangements, Linda will be returning to our home that she constructed with the entirety of her unparalleled love, compassion, care and her stellar excellence. Linda, you will be loved and terribly missed for as long as I live. No spoken or written words can give you proper and deserved recognition, memory or memorial. Thank you for our time together. I anticipate, eagerly await, and will enthusiastically welcome our reunification.

Family and friends are invited to a public Memorial Mass officiated by Rev. John Martininez at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, 101 Church Lane, Cockeysville, Maryland 21030, on Wednesday, June 16, 2021 beginning at 11:00 A.M.