Waterford - Linda Ida (Paquette) Koller, 48, of Almond Drive, Waterford, died on Monday, Jan. 19, 2009, at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital in New London.

Linda was born at the United States Submarine Base in Groton on Sept. 19, 1960, to Adrien Paquette and the late Mary Starr Kessler Paquette.

Linda attended St. Bernard High School in Uncasville, graduating with the class of 1978. She later attended the University of Maine at Orono and graduated in 1983 from Annhurst College in Woodstock, Conn., with a BFA. Linda was employed for many years as a documentation specialist at the former Command Engineering in New London. Until her death, Linda worked for Gerald Robinson and Beverly Hayes at the Showcase of Homes Magazine in Groton as a proofreader. Linda also worked at the former Mr. Lucky's on Colman St. in New London, as well as the Steak Loft Restaurant in Mystic. Her past co-workers and customers will remember her fondly.

Left to cherish their mother's memory are two beautiful daughters, Mary Teresa and Allison Annette Koller, both at home. Also surviving are the children's father, Richard Koller of East Lyme, and paternal grandmother, Annette Koller of Waterford. Linda also leaves her father, Adrien “Mike” Paquette and his wife, Iona Paquette, of The Villages, Lady Lake, Fla.; brother, Michael Paquette, and his wife, Lorie Merrithew, of Hampden, Maine; sister, Karen (Paquette) Zanardi, and her husband, George, of Quaker Hill; and her longtime friend and devoted companion Richard Pignataro of Waterford. Linda will always be remembered by her dedicated cousin Agnes Pettini of Stonington and closest friends Kelly Murphy, Lisa Hellen and Bettyjean (BJ) Watterson, all of Waterford; as well as Debbie Lyon of Groton.

In addition to her family and many friends, Linda's legacy includes her approach to life - her remarkable strength and determination as she met both the wonderful experiences and the adversity life offered.

Calling hours will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the Thomas Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, 12 Ocean Ave., New London. Family and friends are asked to gather on Thursday at 10:15 a.m. at the Thomas L. Neilan & Sons, 12 Ocean Ave., New London and proceed to St. Joseph Church, 17 Squire St., New London, for an 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, Stonington.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 106 Rt. 32, Franklin Commons, Franklin, CT 06254; or Hospice of Southeastern Connecticut, 227 Dunham St., Norwich, CT 06360.

To send an online condolence, please visit www.neilanfuneralhome.com.

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Oncology and Hematology Associates of New London for the exceptional care Linda received throughout her illness. Also left to thank is the entire staff on 6.2 at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital for their continued medical and emotional support.

”So make the best of this test, and don't ask why

It's not a question, but a lesson learned in time

It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right

I hope you had the time of your life.”

Billie Joe Armstrong

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