Linda Samuels

February 20th, 2026

Missing you, Auntie! My wild, free, beautiful Aunt who held my hand through so many years of tender yet important growth. She gave me permission to be who I am when other members of my family did not understand what it is to be spiritual and devoted in nature. I sit in India writing this where she and I visited together to explore the Jewish life in Kochi just before the pandemic. The other day I smeared mud in my eyes accidentally, and I was taken back to a visit to our favorite hot springs, Ojo Caliente, where I did the same and how we laughed as she helped me find the water to rinse my face. A moment doesn’t pass where you aren’t with me, and I know this will be true for the rest of my life, as I will always remember You. Love you, Auntie, and see you in the light ❤️

~Shaina Levee
~niece, Marquette, MI

February 19th, 2026

In Loving Memory of Linda Gale Samuels (née Levee)
It is with a heavy heart that I honor the memory of my dear friend and former colleague, Linda Samuels, who passed away last week. Having watched her funeral service online from Israel, I felt a deep need to share a tribute to a woman who was part of my life’s journey for over fifty years
We first met as lab technicians in 1970-1 at the AMES YISSUM laboratories in Jerusalem after the manager brought her in from Chicago. Alas, that didn’t last long.
Working with Linda in that year, I found a beautiful, sensitive woman of exceptional brilliance. She was a professional of the highest caliber—infinitely industrious and deeply dedicated.
Linda was remarkably opinionated. She had her strong principles and she stood on ground and would never allow anyone to deceive or trifle with her.
We would always have known where we stood with her, and that integrity was exactly why I respected her so much.
After she left Israel we kept corresponding, at the first years it was in letters placed in stamped envelopes, and too few times of meeting: twice in Israel and once in California. Our friendship was filled with moments I will cherish forever. I will always remember our long drive in 1979 from Foster City to San Diego (to visit her mother) along the adorable Highway 101. She loved driving. This journey was full of endless conversations and joking.
We even went to Disneyland where she took me on a frightening “space flight trip”, asking me to always remember that just for me she was doing it for the second time (I doubt if it was not for her own joy).
And on a personal note, I’ll never forget how she “tempted” me into coloring my graying hair decades ago—a habit I kept for 30 years, until I finally let it go, only to find that Linda had decided to embrace her natural silver at the very same time.
Linda will be remembered as a fierce, bright soul, and her wisdom and humor will be deeply missed.

May her memory be a blessing.

Yona Spier

Tel Aviv – Yafo ISRAEL

Yona.spier@gmail.com

~Yona Sapir
~Friend, Tel Aviv, israel

February 18th, 2026

I first remember meeting Linda in 1971, when my sister Valarie and I went to “The Office” at G.D. Searle with our dad on a Saturday. I went with Linda to Burger King to get lunch for everyone. Little did I know what an important person Linda would become in my life.
My sister Brenda and I were able to be with Dad and Linda when they were married on August 18, 1973. Linda opened her arms and heart to four kids — Valarie, myself, Brenda, and Donny. She stood by us through the difficult teen years and became a very influential person in guiding us into adulthood.
As kids, we moved to the Phoenix area with our mom. Dad and Linda would come to visit several times a year. Many of these visits included Linda’s mom, Helen, as well as Linda’s brother David and his wife.
Even though Dad and Linda later divorced, Linda made sure her relationship with the four of us continued. As adults, she remained a very important person in our lives. I would visit her when she lived in Palo Alto, California. I was excited when Linda decided to make her home in the Phoenix area. She would have my husband Mike and me over for dinner. We shared many Thanksgiving dinners at Linda’s, and she and I met for lunch as often as we could.
I was so happy for Linda when she married Jay. I often introduce Jay as my stepdad, which always confuses people. I became their official doggy and turtle sitter whenever they traveled.
I have so many wonderful, loving memories of my relationship with Linda. She took me to my first Neil Diamond concert, and years later I took her to her last, on the anniversary of her mom’s passing. Linda and I shared a love for the island of Kauai, a love she passed on to me, and would love to talk about the island.
I will miss you, Linda.

**“Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day — unseen, unheard, but always near;

~Leslie Paul Glassmann
~Stepdaughter, Phoenix, Arizona

February 18th, 2026

Linda has been my Best Friend & “sister” of over 60+ yrs! She will be in my heart forever! Im blessed for our shared friendship!

~Karin Stern
~Friend, Scottsdale

February 18th, 2026

Linda was married to my dad, Donald A. Paul, from 1973 to about 1987, and I was proud to have Linda as my stepmother. She was strong and provided me with a home from 79-85. Teaching me the qualities of life and exposing me to different ideas and religious beliefs. Thank you for what you did.

~Donald R. Paul
~, Tucson, AZ

February 18th, 2026

Linda came into our lives in 1972, when she and our father, Donald Paul, began their life together. They married in 1973, and from that time forward Linda became a central and deeply meaningful presence in our family. My siblings — Leslie Glassmann, Brenda Gray, Donald Paul — and I always considered Linda our stepmother.

In 1975, I moved in with Linda and Dad in Foster City while attending college in the Bay Area. That period of my life remains filled with some of my most treasured memories. Linda was vibrant, intelligent, and wonderfully alive. We shared many joyful adventures, especially exploring San Francisco — experiences that brought laughter, discovery, and a lasting sense of connection.

Linda had a remarkable way of embracing life. She approached the world with curiosity, enthusiasm, and genuine zest, and her spirit left a lasting impression on me. In quiet but profound ways, she expanded my perspective, encouraged confidence and independence, and modeled what it means to engage fully with life.

Even after Linda and our father separated in 1989, she remained an important and valued part of our lives. The passage of time never diminished the gratitude I feel for the role she played in my young adulthood and the many ways she influenced who I became.

Although Alzheimer’s eventually took her memories, it can never take away the precious memories we hold of Linda, nor the appreciation for the energy, warmth, and joy she brought into our family.

She will always be remembered with affection and gratitude.

~Valarie Lynn Paul Bush
~Step-Daughter, Grass Valley, California

February 17th, 2026

David and I have been friends since high school, I would hang out at his house. Linda was a bright spot for us. She ruled a roost.
I will always have fun memories of Linda

~teddie kossof
~Friend and brother from another mother, Il