February 11, 1949 – June 3, 2026
Linda always maintained that, no matter what we may think, the universe is proceeding just as it should.
Born Linda Marie Reidland in Chicago and raised in Park Ridge, she attended Lake Forest College for one year before adventure called. She hitchhiked around the country with her boyfriend, worked with kids in migrant camps and ultimately got dropped off in Breckenridge by the Kansas City Outlaws.
There she met and married Abe Romero. They had a son, Bram, and ran a property management company and restaurant until Abe’s passing.
She came to Carbondale via Aspen, buying a house in town in the early ‘90s and building her permanent home on the back of the lot. She met Russ Criswell when he was contracted to do her plumbing. She convinced him dating her exclusively would be worth it; they married in 1996.
A renaissance woman, Linda put little stock in a consistent career and pursued many passions. She spoke several languages, wrote a pair of books — “Since You Asked” and “Watermelon Snow,” and invented a board game called Perspective. Her love of history helped bring new life to the Carbondale Historical Society. Creating community influenced everything she did, from singing to Scrabble. She aspired to a blessed life of ordinary days, conversing, quilting, cuddling her cats and gardening.
A student of philosophy and a particular devotee of The Fourth Way, she was a founding member of a meditation group. Her love of baking inspired the creation of the Carbondale Community Oven, which bears the inscription “The flavor of bread shared has no equal” and will be renamed in her honor.
She died at home of natural causes, with support from hospice and surrounded by family — during a visit planned before she fell ill.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Russell and Marie Reidland, and her first husband, Abe Romero. She is survived by her husband, Russ Criswell, sister, Kris, son, Bram, step son, Tom, and their families.
A celebration of life will be held from 3 to 5pm Sunday, July 19, at the Third Street Center. Email phifilerman@gmail.com to contribute to the event.