LInda Lou O'Rear

Linda Lou Worthington O'Rear, 78, of Denver, CO, returned to God on May 2, 2024, leaving a void her family cannot fill.

Linda was born in Gary, Indiana, in 1945 to Homer and Wilma Jean Worthington, joining her brothers, Bob and Wayne, and sister, Hope. A lifelong learner and voracious reader, though never able to fulfill her dream of a university degree, she pursued these passions as the proprietor for 20 years of Little Professor Book Center in Ashland, Kentucky. 

A desire to travel and experience the world was born from her love of reading. She fulfilled this as a young wife and mother, living in Italy and traveling all around Europe. After retirement, she was able to travel all around North America as well as to such exotic places as Tanzania, Costa Rica, Bali, Thailand, New Zealand, Romania, Bucharest, and Hungary. She was always up for an adventure.

Linda was also a devoted mother to Phillip O'Rear and Melissa Putland (Karl Putland) as well as a doting grandmother to Jason, Nathan, and Alex Putland. 

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Homer and Wilma Jean, her brothers, Robert and Wayne Worthington, her sister, Hope Mandrell (Clifton Mandrell), and her son, Phillip O'Rear. She is survived by her daughter, Melissa Putland, and grandchildren, Jason, Nathan, and Alex Putland, who will never forget the love she brought to their lives.

Another passion of Linda's was fly fishing. She even learned to tie her own flies. Some of her most memorable travels were camping trips to some of the best fly fishing spots that could be found. It was one of the hardest parts of her life when her health deteriorated forcing her to give up camping and fly fishing. So in keeping with this passion, we will forgo a traditional service and take her back to the nature she so loved where her ashes will be scattered in the mountains near a great fishing hole. 

Finally, a great debt of thanks is owed to the very special people with Elevation Hospice and Someren Glen Retirement Home who made her final days as comfortable as possible. In lieu of flowers, a donation to Elevation Hospice in the loving memory of Linda would be appreciated.