Linda Jean Cardwell devoted her life to serving students, educators, families, churches, and communities with unwavering faith, courage, compassion, and purpose. Born on February 13, 1952, at Magee Women’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Linda’s life journey reflected her deeply rooted belief that every child could learn, every voice mattered, and every person deserved dignity, opportunity, and love.

Linda began her educational journey at Arsenal Elementary School in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania, and later attended schools in the Wilkinsburg School District, where she earned recognition for outstanding academic achievement and exemplary behavior. She actively participated in cheerleading, singing, oral arguments, ushering, and playing the viola. From childhood, Linda possessed a profound love for reading and lifelong learning. Family and friends often recalled her joyfully reading encyclopedias from beginning to end.

Linda fulfilled her lifelong dream of becoming an educator by earning an English Language Arts Bachelor of Science degree from California State College in Pennsylvania, later known as California University of Pennsylvania, and later earning her Master’s Degree in Education from UCLA. During her college years, Linda also became a lifelong member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.

After permanently moving to Los Angeles in 1985…for 52 remarkable years, (12 in Pittsburgh) Linda dedicated herself to education and public service. She served 10 years at Charles Drew Middle School and 30 years at Youth Opportunities Unlimited Alternative High School (YOUAHS), where she became known as a respected English Language Arts teacher, literacy advocate, mentor, and educational leader. Throughout her distinguished career within the Los Angeles Unified School District, Linda served as ELPAC Coordinator, English Learner Designee, School Site Council Chair, Literacy Coach, WASC Chair, Lead Teacher, and UTLA Chapter Chair.

Widely recognized as a fearless UTLA Warrior and educational activist, Linda worked tirelessly on behalf of students, educators, and public education throughout Los Angeles. She faithfully served United Teachers Los Angeles on the UTLA Bargaining Committee, Steering Committee, House of Representatives, Leadership Conference Committee, and as a UTLA Cluster Leader. Linda believed educators possessed both the responsibility and the power to advocate boldly for students and equitable learning conditions.

One of Linda’s final major public presentations was as co-presenter at the 2025 LAUSD SEL Symposium held at East Los Angeles College. Alongside Dr. See Love, she co-facilitated “Soul Elevating Lifelong Learning in a Classroom Setting (S.E.L.L.),” focusing on academic integrity and excellence, emotional wellness, life fulfillment, compassionate accountability, and holistic student support.

Linda was also a devoted woman of Faith. She received the Lord as a child at Miracle Church of God in Christ in Pittsburgh and later served faithfully as a missionary, Sunday School teacher, and evangelist – with her ministry reaching Hawaii from California. She was known as a devoted prayer warrior who truly practiced what she preached.

Linda was preceded in death by her beloved father, David Henry Cardwell; her mother, Odessa Peterson; and her older brother, Richard Adams. She is survived by her sister, Deborah Taylor; her brother, Eugene David Love; her sister-in-love, Pearl Love; and a cherished host of nieces, nephews, cousins, colleagues, former students, sister-friends, and church family members.

Her extraordinary legacy of education, leadership, and love will continue to inspire generations to come. The family extends its deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to Joyce Jennings, Linda’s LAUSD and UTLA retirement liaison, as well as to her sister-friend for more than two decades, Carma Chinyere “Dr. See Love” Love and her son for the extraordinary care and love they showed to Linda at their home during her time of illness. It is the family’s belief that Linda’s life was extended beyond all medical expectation because of Carma’s devoted and selfless care.

Celebration of Life, Love, and Legacy will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2026 10 am
at Angelus Funeral Home – 3875 Crenshaw Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90008