Sad News about Linda-Sweetheart - Andrea Dietrich's Blog

Tonight I was wondering again..... what ever happened to Linda, who called herself the Sweetheart of Poetry Soup? She was one of the first people I met here and she was always so sweet to us all.  The last I think that any of us heard from her was over a year ago when she posted the poem about her near death experience in the hospital. (She'd had complications from diabetes and dehydration). If you have not seen this last post of hers, please go see it!

I finally decided just to google her name. For a long time now, I have had a feeling the worst may have happened to her because nothing could ever keep Linda away from Soup for long. I was very saddened to find an obituary. After studying it, I am very sure it must be our dear Linda. There are very few people with the name Linda-Marie Bariana and this is from a New Jersey obituary and as I recall, she had family members named Eric and Anthony. Also, the article lists her as a poet.  (I went back just now and saw that it IS her because they have posted my words in the book for her there)

Many people have been asking me what happened to her. Finally we have our answer. Maybe some of you can go to this link and sign the guest book with your condolences to the family. Here is the info and a link is at the bottom. Rest in peace, Sweetheart. This is such very sad news:

Linda-Marie Bariana
Obituary
Guest Book
"Rest in peace Linda, until you hear his voice. John 5:28"
View Sign

Linda-Marie Bariana

AGE: 70 • Bellmawr

On December 31, 2013, Linda-Marie (nee Pilla) passed away at Virtua Hospital in Voorhees. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Linda-Marie worked for many years for the insurance division of the Sons of Italy until her retirement. In addition to her employment, she was an accomplished and published poet.

She is lovingly survived by her two sons, Edward and Anthony; her three grandchildren, Eric, Shelby-Marie and Samantha-Jean; her daughter-in-law, Stephanie; her brother, Charles Fanelli and her sister, Sally Fanelli.

Funeral services and interment will be held privately at the con
- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/courierpostonline/obituary.aspx?pid=169006078#sthash.0kHxI6Vv.dpuf

John Freeman Date: 1/26/2014 4:56:00 PM May Linda's Soul rest in the eternal Spirit of Her Father's remembrance as the Love that she was, to be called into loving service of the King. Agape, Moses Login to Reply

John Freeman Date: 1/26/2014 4:52:00 PM sad news about Linda, "Sorry" Agape, Moses Login to Reply

Constance La France Date: 1/26/2014 2:26:00 PM My heart is utterly shattered . . .thanks for finding out what happened, I have always wondered. Constance Login to Reply

Kash Poet Date: 1/25/2014 12:40:00 PM So sorry to hear this.She was such a great poet. She was really a sweetheart.I will always remember her inspiring words at my poems. Will miss her.R I P Linda Marie the Sweetheart of Poetrysoup. Login to Reply

Phyllis Babcock Date: 1/25/2014 10:29:00 AM OMG wondered what happened to this sweetheart of a lady. My deepest sympathy to the family. May she rest in peace. A wonderful poetess and lady and many fond memories of her wonderful poetry. She will be missed. Login to Reply

Skat A Date: 1/24/2014 3:58:00 PM With deepest sympathy, My Sweet Linda-Marie.............. :(........ You will remain in our minds and in our hearts. Love forever from your BFF-team.................. ~SKAT~ Login to Reply

Cyndi Macmillan Date: 1/23/2014 11:53:00 PM HI EVERYONE... I know TPS is busy, working on all those behind the scene things, answering emails, ironing out problems. I think sometimes TPS is left out of the loop. I sent them an email, letting them know we believe Linda Marie has passed away. I'm sure that they have a protocol for such occurrences. I also suggested a few ways for there to be a full-on community tribute to her with help from TPS. Just a thought. She gave so much of herself here. YES, she was one of the first to welcome me, encourage me, leave lovely, warm comments... People like you, Andrea, like so many others, keep the soup warm. I hope TPS can find a way to say, she will be missed, with the panache she deserves. oxox Login to Reply

James Marshall Goff Date: 1/23/2014 9:47:00 PM Very sad, Andrea....I stopped by her legacy page...thanks for info....we lost a real treasure here, jimbo Login to Reply

Joyce Johnson Date: 1/23/2014 6:39:00 PM I am still not sure this is our Linda-Marie. Maybe it's just wishful thinking but where are her other boys? She told me once that she had borne 5 but one died young. She used to write poems about him. She surely doesn't look 70 in the pictures taken when she married Ron a few years ago and where is he? This is very strange. If it is true I am very sad about it. Joyce Login to Reply

Francine Roberts Date: 1/23/2014 5:58:00 PM I am still in shock .... and in tears Login to Reply

Jack Horne Date: 1/23/2014 4:08:00 PM I read this blog as soon as you told me the sad news, my friend - I know we'd probably all feared the worst, but I kept hoping to see a new post by her Login to Reply

Carol Eastman Date: 1/23/2014 2:30:00 PM A sad turn of events for us. But she was in bad health and is now free of that burden... and with her beloved Ron... Rest in Peace... Linda Marie Sweetheart of PoetrySoup. I'm sure her family will retain many, many great memories... I'm sorry for their loss... and ours. Login to Reply

Wilma Neels Date: 1/23/2014 1:08:00 PM Sad to hear about Linda-Marie's passing. I won my Lifetime Membership in one of her contest... She is one of the main reasons I am still on the Soup. Thank you for letting us know Andrea. RIP Linda-Marie, I will never forget you -- Login to Reply

Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 1/23/2014 12:42:00 PM - R.I.P. Linda Marie - Anne-Lise - Login to Reply

Joe Flach Date: 1/23/2014 12:37:00 PM Thanks for letting us know, Andrea. When I first found PS, I hesitatingly posted a few poems - Linda-Marie was quick with her welcoming responses and positive comments. She was always the first to post comments on my poems and encouraged me to write more. Then, in a typical Linda-Marie way, she bought a Premium Membership for me as a 1st place winner in one of her many contests. Linda-Marie, is the reason why I got addicted to PS and is the reason why I have gotten to know so many of you. I will never forget her, her generosity and her tireless efforts in encouraging others to find their poetic-side. I shed a tear reading this blogs. Rest in peace Sweetheart. Login to Reply

Carrie Richards Date: 1/23/2014 10:30:00 AM So many things I am remembering,..sweetheart left us a legacy of poems, photos,& posts..She will always remain alive & happy in our memories.I think she wouldn't want us to be so sad, instead would want us to think of her as she was,.standing along the shore on her wedding day with her big guy, Ron.The love of her life, who came perhaps, late in life, but filled her days with love and devotion until the end. I remember how he took over her blogs, to type for her and keep us updated on her recovery from surgery,when she could no longer type for herself.As difficult as it is to lose someone who was the sweetheart of the soup, she will live on in our hearts.RIP to both Linda Marie, and Ron. Login to Reply

Sara Kendrick Date: 1/23/2014 9:55:00 AM Sorry to hear of the death..I wonder why they did not mention her husband, Ron?..I tried to copy and paste and it did not go there..Sara Login to Reply Sara Kendrick Date: 1/23/2014 10:46:00 AM I managed in a round about way to get to her orbituary and left a message ..I found that many people from here had been in there..Sara

Kabuteng P.Ink K. Date: 1/23/2014 9:32:00 AM I'm just still in my denial bubble here... she has been on my mind as well and I did my search for her a few weeks back, not sure I think last wk of Dec or 1st wk January? But I guess the obituary wasn't up back then, I was hoping she was fine, I had my fears and didn't see any obits so I guess I got a bit complacent...the most I got were 2 other phone #s, which sad to say I never was able to contact, I am such a scatterbrain; the Christmas card that I sent her in 2012 came back, and I didn't have her current address...remember Andrea how I asked you to try contacting her with the other number I found before and it was a disconnect? I am just deeply sighing right now, just wondering what happened to her, wishing I could have done more to try to contact her? Now how she livened up the Soup is just going through me, and of how she wrote her comments (remembering how she called people 'Luv' and how she loved to use 'oh'), and all her updates about her life (remember her blogs and contests?) -- ahh, I am smiling with memories of her and just feeling so sad, this loss at the same time, hard to explain. Just stuff going through me now. Sweetheart, you are missed, she was one of the first ones who welcomed me here, and I will never forget her. Rest in peace, luv, and write with the angels <3 Login to Reply

Sandra Adams Date: 1/23/2014 9:07:00 AM I do not think it is the same Linda, the one from here, according to her facebook page was born may 21, 1959 that would make her 54, the one that passed was 70...unless Linda was much older and didn't want people to know...i am not sure where the Soup Linda was from but this Linda was from philadelphia and new jersey area...not far from me! Login to Reply Andrea Dietrich Date: 1/23/2014 4:54:00 PM sAndy, some women do not tell the truth about their age!! My own mother was one of them!! (but she only put her age a few years off!!) Sandra Adams Date: 1/23/2014 9:55:00 AM I am not sure Linda...i went on her facebook and now i did write the one relative from their to try and find out if it is the same... the one who passed was 70...so either she made herself younger on here and facebook or it's not her...will update you if i find anything out! Kabuteng P.Ink K. Date: 1/23/2014 9:44:00 AM although sad to say, from Dec2012 when I tried, the mail got returned to me,...so I am assuming that it is the same Linda, and she just didn't divulge her real age here in Soup. And yes, she was in NJ... Kabuteng P.Ink K. Date: 1/23/2014 9:43:00 AM Based from the address that I saw from the records available online, it says the Linda-Marie that is listed is 70...it's the same address that I had from her before, I was able to send her mail to that address, received mail from that address,cont'd Poet Destroyer A Date: 1/23/2014 9:26:00 AM Sandra, I hope you are right... I recall the bombblond shell. Was in her fifties.

Painted Hunter Date: 1/23/2014 7:31:00 AM Oh, no. That's very sad news. I think anyone who ever had the pleasure of talking with her here on the soup really loved her. I did. She really was a sweetheart. Rest in peace, Linda. Login to Reply

Charmaine Chircop Date: 1/23/2014 7:12:00 AM Sooooo Sad....Its her dear...It is her Login to Reply

Joseph May Date: 1/23/2014 7:04:00 AM So sad to hear this news Andrea, she was a kind and loving soul.. Login to Reply

Charmaine Chircop Date: 1/23/2014 6:18:00 AM In autumn 2012 Linda sent me a poem she d written for my baby girl.I posted it on the soup last august when Christina turned one.She eve paid franciscian s friars in where Christina was gifted a year of prayers.I remember sendin Linda a xmas card in 2012..remained unanswered..During the year 2013 i sent her a get well sn card..Still ananswered and this december..A xmas card unanswered..I tried googling her name ..but never managed to find her name on the orbituary list..but im so glad you did.At least I can pray for her soul and not to get better.She was so dear to me..Still is and Im gonna miss her more knowing she wonr be coming here again. Tnks so much andrea..Hugs Login to Reply Charmaine Chircop Date: 1/23/2014 8:46:00 AM Yes i realized now..when i visited the gueat book..Ron s surname was rinaldi not rosetti sorry.. I think :(..Hugs andrea,,I have no words dear Andrea Dietrich Date: 1/23/2014 7:28:00 AM You never saw about her before because her death is quite recent. The last day of this last year, Charma. She hung on until the very end of the year. She was always a trooper.

Charlotte Puddifoot Date: 1/23/2014 6:14:00 AM thanks for letting us know, andrea...poor linda-marie, this is awfully sad news and such a shock... Login to Reply

Nette Onclaud Date: 1/23/2014 3:20:00 AM i have thinking about linda for few days now when i saw drafts of poems for her former contests, and asked myself where she could be.. this is a painful day for me.. londa was one of those who greeted me on soup.. i felt good having a friend and sharing meaningful bits of life up close... may the Light guide you to etrenal bliss, my sweet linda... prayers continue for you... WHERE IS RON in the obit, andie? Login to Reply Andrea Dietrich Date: 1/23/2014 7:24:00 AM Some here think he passed away before she did, Nette. She had told a few people that he had fallen ill. I just have no clue what happened there. She is someone that will be remembered forever by those of us who knew her.

Brian Strand Date: 1/23/2014 2:59:00 AM Linda was a lovely lady who participated in many of my contests.Hopefully her poetry is preserved for her family and others to enjoy.rgds Brian Login to Reply

David Williams Date: 1/23/2014 2:37:00 AM Andrea this is very sad news, she was such a fine poet and a lovely person. She will be forever a part of this site... Login to Reply

Gautami Phookan Date: 1/23/2014 12:20:00 AM Andrea, you're right, there cannot be many Linda Marie Bariana.It is so painful to know. Never knew anyone to be so full of life, and a very kind soul. Without Ron she must've died of a broken heart. Will always remember her when I see orchids, when I think of colors vibrant..How she touched our lives! Linda Marie, you'll always be in my thoughts.. in my heart.. Login to Reply

Deb Wilson Date: 1/22/2014 11:54:00 PM Oh my this deeply saddens me...she was such a kind and joyous spirit and she still is with us as such I am sure.She was always so encouraging and kind-hearted...she will be so greatly missed. Login to Reply

Dr.Ram Mehta Date: 1/22/2014 11:44:00 PM Thanks, Andrea, for the information. Continuously I was inquiring about her to some of our common friends on PS and one in Ramsey, NJ. Oh, Linda, may God rest you in peace. I visited her twice in 2011 when she was active on the soup. Login to Reply

Debbie Guzzi Date: 1/22/2014 9:37:00 PM But our Linda Marie was married? Login to Reply Charmaine Chircop Date: 1/23/2014 6:22:00 AM She had a son eric and an anthony.Ron s surname was rosetti or rosetto i think Andrea Dietrich Date: 1/22/2014 10:01:00 PM yes, Eric is mentioned in the obituary and wasn't there also an Anthony? I went back to her poems and saw the one she wrote about her grandson. well, I have to call it a night. I was trying to find out what happened to Ron but I can find no way to learn of him by google. Cyndi Macmillan Date: 1/22/2014 9:49:00 PM Grandson named Eric... he was supposed to be a girl born in 2012... she wrote a poem about'/for him Poet Destroyer A Date: 1/22/2014 9:45:00 PM she has a son name Eric Andrea Dietrich Date: 1/22/2014 9:40:00 PM no comment there, Debs.

Poet Tacito Date: 1/22/2014 9:34:00 PM Very, very sad to hear this. She was a deeply kind soul. Login to Reply

Poet Destroyer A Date: 1/22/2014 9:31:00 PM Sorry, this is extremely sad and hard for me. for it was Linda, who took me in and made me Her BFF... I'm in tears I want you to know Andrea, it is and always will be an honor, to mention her in all my soup dedications. You saw how she broke us into tears the first time she left the soup. There was a lot going on, I know. Linda thought me to be strong here, and never let anyone break me. Andrea, I felt a big part of the soup, part with her. She's in heaven now. now I know she's finally looking out for us again. . LINDA MARIE- B..... you will forever be in my heart. Best friends forever, Right! I will cherish all you E-mails... Andrea, i was afraid of this.... Linda Login to Reply Andrea Dietrich Date: 1/22/2014 9:41:00 PM I was so afraid of it too, PD. What a wild ride with Linda here at Soup we had!!

Poet Destroyer A Date: 1/22/2014 9:20:00 PM no...This can't be. .:( Login to Reply

Cyndi Macmillan Date: 1/22/2014 9:06:00 PM Crying... I just left a message on her poem yesterday, for I felt this may be the case... my worry had been that Ron had passed away, I remember him being very sick all of a sudden, and if that was the case, with all that Linda-Marie had struggled with, I thought she'd die of a broken heart... all so upsetting.... and yet, look at her poem... crying again... her poem about the near death experience... would it be okay for me to post this..... I want to so bad, put up her lovely poem about her view of heaven, how she is not afraid... I'm rambling... so upset so upset.... and this should be a wake up call for everyone. WE ARE REAL FRIENDS HERE. Something could happen to us at anytime. Be kind. Login to Reply Cyndi Macmillan Date: 1/22/2014 9:52:00 PM Ron had been very ill, as well. I'm going to add that link to the condolences book on the blog with her poem... to make it easier for soupers.. thanks for letting us know. I'd just left a message for her I thought yesterday, but 2 days ago.. I'd already thought this.. I already knew in my heart Andrea Dietrich Date: 1/22/2014 9:43:00 PM I was thinking of posting it too, Cyndi. You go ahead and do it!! It is such a precious poem for her last post. All I can think is that Ron died because he was not mentioned in those that survived her.

Andrea Dietrich Date: 1/22/2014 8:57:00 PM It's just so hard to believe that I never got to say parting words to Linda, and that nobody ever informed us! I was hoping one day that I would hear that she was ok. Oh my, I really hate having my fears confirmed about her. Login to Reply Andrea Dietrich Date: 1/22/2014 9:44:00 PM yes I know. Soupmail for you. Cyndi Macmillan Date: 1/22/2014 9:28:00 PM Hon, read it closer... no surviving HUSBAND... Ron too ron too... oh, so sad...