Obituary of Linda Marie Hoeger-Thompson

Long time Santa Cruz resident, Linda Marie Hoeger-Thompson, died on Wednesday, December 9, 2015. She was 78 years young, born in Sacramento, CA in 1937. She had already lived a full young life prior to settling in Santa Cruz in 1963. Linda is preceded in death by her father - Hans Hoeger, her mother - Paula Steinle, her stepfather - John Steinle, her brother - John Paul Steinle, and her daughter - Lisa Noelle Thompson. Linda is survived by her sister - Helene Suess, her daughter - Rachel Victoria Thompson, her grandson - Trevor Timothy Thompson-Silva, her son-in-law - Gus Ceballos, many nieces and nephews, and her former husband and good friend - Donald Roy Thompson. Active as an artist, graphic artist, seamstress and crafts person, Linda was also well known for her various arts and community activities, which included, but were not limited to: Managing Director of the Actor's Theatre - Santa Cruz, Managing Director of Odyssey Theatre Ensemble - Los Angeles, Designer/Owner of "Shift Happens" Shirts - Santa Cruz, Program Director of Santa Cruz Art Center, Owner/Publisher of The Visual Arts Guide to Santa Cruz County, Owner/Director of Hoeger-Thompson Gallery - Santa Cruz, Special Programs Coordinator of the Santa Cruz County Fair, General Manager of the Santa Cruz Ballet Company, Board of Directors - Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County, Chairwoman of Santa Cruz Art Commission, Commissioner of City Arts Commission - Santa Cruz, Board of Directors at the Museum Without Walls - Santa Cruz. She ended her career as Executive Director of the non-profit organization Companion for Life - Santa Cruz County. In recent years she had a passion for studying genealogy, and loved working out the mysterious puzzles and stories of a family's history. She was loved and will be missed by many more than anyone could ever imagine. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to Companion for Life, a program of the Seniors Council of Santa Cruz County. Donations can be sent to Companion for Life 234 Santa Cruz Ave, Aptos, CA 95003. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at the Arts Center at 1001 Center Street, Santa Cruz on Sunday, January 10, 2016 from 2:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M.