Martha Jane Linnard

Martha Jane Linnard, 71, of McAllen, Texas passed away at her home on January 10, 2023. She thus joined her beloved parents Elvia Leona and Leslie Melvin Linnard and her great-niece Alayna Lee Moseley in Heaven. Martha’s natural-born ability to care for others led her to become a gifted educator. She graduated from PSJA High School in 1969 and received a bachelor’s degree in education from Texas State University. After teaching Life Skills in Sharyland for several years, Martha obtained a master’s degree from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and become a guidance counselor. Several nieces and her nephew were lucky enough to have her as a teacher or school counselor and can say firsthand what a talented professional she was. Martha did not have children of her own, but through her work she helped to raise thousands. Martha happily retired after a long and rewarding career. She devoted much of her time during retirement to her love of needlework. In so doing, she created beauty, and thereby leaves a legacy of such gifts that her family and friends will treasure for years. The joy she brought to others through her beautiful creations was second only to the joy her friends brought to her. Martha was devoted to her dear friends: her “sister from another mother” Donna Mason and her entire family, Nancy Keller, Jane Kittleman, Barbara Link, Cyndi Powell, Cindy Sallee, Phyllis Yardley, Patty Young, and Barbara Grossmann. She loved gathering with her needlework friends, either for their periodic stitch-ins or simply to enjoy each other’s company. Martha was kind and generous with her love. Her precious kitties, Blacky and Safera, her beloved sisters and nieces and nephew and their spouses, her great-nieces and great-nephews, and her stitching group and other close friends always knew how much she loved them. Martha is survived by her large and loving family. Her three sisters, Mary Ann Polk (Raemon), Jeanne Cathryn Moseley (Mark) and Patricia Ellen Valadez (David) remember Martha as a ferocious card player, a lover of board games, and someone who loved to play with their hair as children. Martha also is survived by her nieces and nephews: Leslye Ellen Moseley Ashworth (Tommy), Laura Anne Moseley Dorrity (Chris), Tommy Kirk Moseley (Amanda), Kristin Dolores Valadez Blackwell (Kylon), and Victoria Leigh Valadez Dodson (Andrew). Survivors also include her great-nieces and nephews: Laurel Kathryn Ashworth, Hayden Raffael Moseley, Grant Thomas Ashworth, Everett Thomas Moseley, Mark Weslye Dorrity, Reilly Rhett Moseley, Charlotte Leona Dorrity and Klayton Dylan Blackwell. Martha enjoyed reconnecting and renewing friendships with her PSJA high school classmates as the world opened back up after the pandemic. She was a wonderful neighbor, always giving and helping those around her. A memorial service in remembrance of Martha’s life will be held at 9:30am on Saturday, January 21, 2023 in the chapel at Roselawn Cemetery, 1201 South Main, McAllen, TX, 78501. After a brief graveside service, family and friends are invited to attend a reception at the home of Jeanne and Mark Moseley. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Palm Valley Animal Society or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Tributes

Martha Jane Linnard

January 13, 2023