Linda Jo Reynolds, SP
November 15, 1947 - May 12, 2018
Obituary
LINDA JO REYNOLDS, SP
Sister Linda Jo Reynolds, age 70, a Sister of Providence for 51 years, died May 12, 2018, at St. Joseph Residence, Seattle, WA. Vigil Service: Friday, May 18, 2018, at 6:30 PM, and Funeral Mass: Saturday, May 19, 2018, at 11:00 AM, both at St. Joseph Residence, 4800 37th Avenue SW, Seattle, WA. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Seattle, WA, after Mass and reception. Bonney Watson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Linda Jo Reynolds was born November 15, 1947 to Joseph and Anita (Long) Reynolds, in Portland, Oregon. She was the only child. Linda Jo entered the Sisters of Providence in September 1965 at Providence Heights, Issaquah, Washington, and in August 1966, she became a novice. In March 1968 she professed first vows, and in June 1974 she professed final vows.
Linda Jo graduated in May 1965 from Providence Academy, Vancouver, Washington. In 1971, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Seattle University; and specialization nursing certificates in 1973 from St. Elizabeth Hospital, Yakima, and in 1974 from Carville, Louisiana. Sister Linda Jo received several diplomas from the East Asian Pastoral Institute, Loyola Heights, Quezon City, Philippines, from 1995-97 in Pastoral Studies. From 1995-98 she was a member of the Association of Major Religious Superiors of Women. Sr. Linda Jo received a certificate of appreciation as the 2002-03 formator of the Juniors – Seminarians Forum (JFS) XVIII Metro Manila, Loyola Heights, Quezon City. In 2010 she attended the School of Applied Theology Sabbatical Program, Berkeley, California. Also, in 2015 Sr. Linda Jo completed the 3-summer sessions of Legal Education for Leadership of Religious Institutes, St. Paul University in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Sister Linda Jo’s first ministry was in nursing for 13 years from 1968-81 in California: Oakland – Providence Hospital; Burbank – St. Joseph Medical Center. In Washington: Yakima – St. Elizabeth Medical Center; and in Seattle – St. Joseph Residence. In 1976 she transferred to the Sisters of Providence in Montreal Quebec, Canada, to prepare for missionary work; and from 1977-81 she was a missionary in Lokoja, Nigeria, Africa, at Koton Karifi General Hospital. For a time in 1981, she worked in parish ministry in Lokoja.
In 1982 Sr. Linda Jo returned to the U.S. and ministered to the elderly at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Seattle. Then from 1985-89 she was the Tri-Province Formation Novitiate Director in Spokane, WA.
In August 1989 Sr. Linda Jo was one of the five foundresses of the Philippine Sector, and became its first Formation Director until July 1994. From 1995-2001 she was the Philippine sector Superior, and then from September 2001 – October 2012 she was Councilor Secretary-Treasurer. In the summer of 2012, having been elected General Councilor-Secretary, in November 2012 she went to Montreal to take up her responsibilities for this position. In 2016, Sr. Linda Jo celebrated her Golden Jubilee as a Sister of Providence.
Due to ill health, Sr. Linda Jo left Montreal and came to Seattle in November 2017. On February 23, 2018 there was special missioning ritual for Sr. Linda Jo to leave the General Leadership Team and become a member of Mother Joseph Province, based in Seattle. Sr. Linda Jo is preceded in death by her parents and survived by her sisters in community. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Providence Retirement Fund, 1801 Lind Avenue SW, #9016, Renton, WA 98057-9016.
My deepest condolences to the Reynolds family and friends for the loss of your loved one Linda. In God’s word the Bible is a wonderful promise for the loved ones we have lost in death to be fulfilled very soon right here on a brand new Paradise Earth by his son Jesus Christ it will give you hope and comfort during this difficult time Acts 24:15; John 5: 28,29; Revelation 21: 1-5.
Linda and I attended Providence Academy Vancouver (PAV) graduating in 1965. We lost contact with each other but after reading her obituary….seeing her many accomplishments…..puts me to shame.
Linda, you did good!
Rest in peace.
Sr. Linda Jo I love you. May eternal happiness be with you – forever being with your mom. Thank you for the faith, simplicity, generosity and compassion you lived among us in the Philippines. Thank you for the knowledge, songs, stories, affirmations , services and silence shared until the last few days of your life. You are one among the shapers of my life. I am forever grateful – your being there especially at the most crucial chapter in my life. May Provident God bestow on you the eternal reward.