Linda Thompson Spangler died on September 13, 2023 surrounded by her family after living many more years than she expected.  She was 85 years old. Having a major heart attack in January of 2001, she survived many years with heart failure thanks to the expertise and care given to her by her Denver cardiologists Dr.Natasha Altman, Thomas Svinarich, and Robert Henson and her Houston cardiologist Drs. James Willerson and Osccar Rosales.  She was forever grateful for their care and that of her family and friends.

She is survived by her beloved son Christopher, her sister Nancy Smith of Amarillo, Texas, and many of her nieces, nephews, and cousins. Linda was preceded in death by her husband Richard Dalton Spangler, her parents Thorleif and Ellen Thompson, and her brother Thorleif, Jr. (Skipper).

Linda and Dick met while both were students at the University of Texas where she was a member of the Tri Delta Sorority. She and Dick married in her hometown of Port Arthur, Texas and lived in Austin, Houston, San Francisco, Minnesota, Washington DC and finally Denver while Dick completed his medical education and training. At age fifty, Linda returned to school at Metropolitan State University for two years and was elected to Sigma Tau Delta, the international English honor society. However, her greatest pride and joy were her grandchildren Madison and John Spangler. She believed she was kept alive to be able to know and love these dear ones.

Linda was a lifelong member of the Democratic Party and worked on the campaigns of Denver Mayor Federico Pena, Congresswoman Pat Schroeder, and Presidential candidate Gary Hart. At the Denver Art Museum she was a docent when the North Building was under construction. She subsequently served as Chairman of the Docents and President of the Volunteers, founded the Volunteer Endowment Fund., and worked with Rex Morgan to establish the Scientific Cultural Facilities District.

The Rite of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. John's Cathedral on Monday October 2nd, 2023 at 1 p.m. followed by inurnment in All Souls' Walk. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Kempe Foundation in honor of Tracy Rivera or to an organization that promotes the wellbeing of children. kempe.org