A Celebration of the Life of
Contemplation:
For today’s service in memoriam, we have selected music with special connections to Linda – songs she enjoyed, music that reminds us of her, and pieces that recall aspects of Linda’s extraordinary life. As you gather, listen, and await the commencement of our celebration, we ask that you meditate on your thoughts and memories of Linda. If you feel so inclined, come to the altar and write a short note… a wish, a memory, a blessing for Linda…and drop it in the vessel.
Autumn from The Four Seasons (Vivaldi) ~ Joan Baez
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 (Villa-Lobos) ~ Patricia Petibon
The Flower Duet from Lakmé (Delibes) ~ Katherine Jenkins & Kiri Te Kanawa
L'heure exquise from 7 Chanson grises (Hahn) ~ Anne Sofie von Otter
Silent Woods from From the Bohemian Forest (Dvořák) ~ Yo-Yo Ma
Nessum Dorma from Turnadot (Puccini) ~ Katherine Jenkins
Mir Stanke le (Harvest Song From Thrace) ~ Bulgarian State Television Female Choir
The Wolf Song ~ Jonna Jinton
Savage Daughter (Wyndreth Berginsdottir) ~ Ekaterina Shelehova
Prelude: Helvegen (Wardruna) ~ The Pagan Minstrel
Invocation: Echo ~ Helisir
Music: Call the Nightingale by Vian Izak
Performed by Brian Osborne and Ashleigh Vickery
Reading: Scott Phillips ~ “Spring” by Herman Hesse
Welcome: Ashley Butler
Eulogy: Ian James Wallner
Celebration in Images and Music:
“Maiden”
Reading: Tessa Carr
Music: • Es Tanzt ein Bi-Ba-Butzemann
(traditional German children’s song) ~ Erika and Elsa Vopel
• The Lady Came From Baltimore ~ Joan Baez
• Marathon ~ Original cast of Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris
“Mother”
Reading: Linda Dean
Music:
• Black Magic Woman ~ Fleetwood Mac
• Shelter from the Storm ~ Bob Dylan
• Omni ~ Daniel Lanois
“Crone”
Reading: Dott Dailey
Music:
• Wellerman (traditional sea shanty) ~ Nathan Evans
• September Song (Weill) ~ Betty Buckley
• Hymn Eola Acapella ~ Tonstartssbandht
Reading: Ashley Butler ~ “When I Go To Sleep” by Herman Hesse
Music: glow in the dark by Vian Izak, Performed by Brian Osborne and Ashleigh Vickery
Moment of Silence
Final Remarks: Ashley Butler
Postlude: Everywhere ~ Fleetwood Mac
Ride of the Valkyries from Die Walküre (Wagner) ~ London Symphony Orchestra
A Celebration of the Life of
The Festival of Imbolc
The Festival of Imbolc, (pronounced Im-molk), takes place at the beginning of February at the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Like Candlemas, its counterpart in the Christian calendar, it is a festival of light, which celebrates the first stirrings of spring after the long dark winter. Imbolc derives from the Old Irish i mbolg meaning "in the belly," a time when sheep began to lactate, their udders filled, and the grass began to grow. It is one of four Pagan fire festivals based on the Pagan Wheel of the Year and linked closely to the agricultural year. While too early for planting gardens, Imbolc is a time to start thinking about planting and harvesting in the coming year. It is also a time of purification and sweeping away of the old in preparation for the coming year.
The central figure of Imbolc is the goddess Brigid (or Brighid, Brigit, Bride, etc.), an ancient Celtic deity who famously became Christianized as Saint Brigid. Her name means ‘bright”, “high” or “exalted” and so is easily linked to the brightness of the early spring. Brigid is ascribed as a triple goddess — linked to the iconography of a triple flame — and is a deity of inspiration, creativity, and healing who is associated with the perpetual flame, metalwork, poetry, animal husbandry, dairy production, and domestic arts, among many other things.
Brigid the saint was said to have lived from the mid-5th to the early 6th century, born into a druid family. Her mother was converted to Christianity by St. Patrick himself, and young Brigid was reared on the milk of a cow that appeared to her, a
story also told in respect of Brigid the goddess. She was revered largely due to her work with the poor and the sick, and is even associated with brewing beer!
Spanning both Pagan and Christian worlds, Brigid provides a point of contact and unity in the modern world. Anyone who knew Linda Bell well will recognize a similarity in her penchant for connecting people from various backgrounds, walks of life, and systems of belief. Her love of spring — the season into which she was born, her endless wellspring of creativity and artistic pursuits, her enjoyment of candles and a good bonfire, her passion for healing and inspiring others, and her long association with the care of animals are some of the examples by which Imbolc seemed a fitting occasion to celebrate the life well lived of Linda Wallner Bell.
The Triple Goddess
The Triple Goddess is a symbol that represents Maiden, Mother, and Crone, three aspects of a goddess that are significant in many Neopagan and Wiccan religions. The symbol is often associated with the moon's phases and the stages of a woman's life.
One version of the symbol depicts three phases of the moon — waxing crescent for The Maiden, full moon for the The Mother, and waning crescent for The Crone. Another version is the triquetra, an ancient symbol that consists of three interconnected arc shapes which form what is known as a trinity knot (also known as a Celtic trinity knot and the Holy Trinity).
While the Triple Goddess is often said to represent the unity and diversity of the female experience and the natural rhythms of life, it can also be viewed as universal wisdom that can be embraced by anyone: The Maiden represents youthful vigor, new beginnings, and the potential for exploration. The Mother represents love, resilience, and the nurturing heart of existence. And The Crone represents wisdom, independence, and courage.
Linda Therese Wallner Bell passed on to the next realm on November 7, 2024, after a brief illness. She was surrounded in person and in spirit by loved ones who cherished her dearly.
Born April 2, 1951, in New York City to Frieda Marie Hammerschmidt and Herman Wilhelm Wallner, Sr., Linda’s early life was spent on 42nd Street in Sunnyside, Queens. A first generation American of Bavarian descent, Linda traveled to Germany as a young child with her parents to meet many of her relatives. She maintained a lifelong interest in her ancestry, having recently connected or re-connected with several cousins through DNA testing and social media.
In 1956, Linda’s father accepted a job to manage the Woodholme Country Club in Pikesville, MD. Upon relocation, Linda spent the rest of her formative years in Baltimore where she soaked up the culture and character of the city — seeing the Beatles in 1964, hanging out in libraries and at the park, frequenting the flower mart, making her own stylish dresses, and experiencing, in her words, “textures, colors, smells, hopes, dreams, elegance, and an aesthetic that still drives my choices.” Linda was planning a pilgrimage back to visit Baltimore in the spring of ’25.
Linda graduated from Parkville High School in 1970 and studied art at Towson University in Maryland. In 1977, she married Herman “Ty” Bell and moved to Auburn, Alabama. Though the marriage didn’t last, Linda’s ties to the South did, as she built a career and many meaningful friendships through her love of discovery and interest in others.
Linda worked as art director for the Auburn Bulletin/Lee County Eagle (1979-1982) and as public information officer for East Alabama Mental Health (1982-1987). She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in visual communications at Auburn University in 1988. In 1989, Linda joined the professional staff of the Auburn University Department of Theatre, where she served for 30 years as the director of marketing and public relations until her retirement in 2019. Linda was a master at making connections between people, ideas, and action. Whether creating marketing collateral and playbills for shows, planning festive special events, handling public relations and donor relationships, mentoring students, managing the box office, or coming up with the most esoteric, obscure props and furniture pieces for productions,
April 2, 1951 ~ November 7, 2024
Linda made things happen with her insatiable curiosity and boundless creativity. Also a fixture in the Auburn University Art Department, she earned her Master of Fine Arts in art with a concentration in graphic design in 2001 and taught typography, all while supporting theatre at Auburn. A conceptual artist herself, Linda curated hundreds of art shows in the Telfair Peet Theatre gallery, showcasing artists from the community, the Southeast region, and beyond.
Linda received an achievement award from The Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival in 1993 and multiple scholarships from the Columbus Ad Club. She was a member of the Montgomery Advertisement Federation, National College Designers, and the Public Relations Council of Alabama (charter East Alabama chapter). She also earned her real estate license, leveraging her knowledge and love of architecture, restoration, and design.
Linda’s father Herman died suddenly at age 56 when Linda was only 13 years old. Her mother Frieda lived until the age of 84; Linda was the primary caretaker for the last part of her mother’s life until she passed in 1996. As an adult, Linda grew close to her brother, Dr. Herman Wallner, who was nearly 20 years her senior. Together they traveled, spent time with his children, sought out compelling folk art, executed hilarious highjinks, and enjoyed good wine while listening to opera – undoubtedly expounding upon any number of captivating subjects. Herman passed away unexpectedly in December of 2002, leaving a tremendous void but also many happy memories that Linda recounted often.
With a heart of gold and an incredible supply of empathy, Linda had the ability to talk to anyone and make them feel comfortable. She knew how to inspire others and to have fun. She was fierce, strong, and independent. She was also immensely kind and soft-hearted and gave back to her community in many ways. All of these qualities extended to her love and advocacy for animals. Over the years, she rescued, sheltered, and rehomed countless dogs, cats, and even a couple of pigs, often sacrificing her own comfort in service of the creatures in her care. Many of us found our own precious pets thanks to Linda's efforts and her knack for connecting people, animals, and opportunities to foster or adopt. In addition to her own personal and various joint rescue efforts over the years, Linda served on the board of directors for the Waverly Puphouse rescue organization and was a longtime patron and champion of Moores Mill Animal Hospital.
Linda was a seeker. Whether searching for that perfect treasure at the antique shop, the thrift store, or the garden center; analyzing movies, music, or the latest social media phenomena; or researching (and passionately discussing) art, psychology, mythology, medicine, the metaphysical, the relics of the past, the current state of things, or any other from a vast array of fascinating topics – Linda was a devoted student and teacher of life. A truly fabulous friend, Linda enjoyed regular social “shenanigans” with friends and chosen family – and she knew everyone. But she also enjoyed her solitary time at home in the magical woods of Beauregard, AL, tending her animals, garden, and collection of artifacts from a lifetime of discovery.
Linda was predeceased by her parents, Frieda Marie Hammerschmidt and Herman Wilhelm Wallner, Sr.; her brother, Herman Wilhelm Wallner, Jr.; and many beloved pets. She is survived by many friends, family members, and chosen family members, including seven dogs, six cats, and two potbelly pigs. Her beloved pup Jackie passed away on December 21, 2024, surely trotting to the Rainbow Bridge to find Linda.
Special thanks to Frederick Dean Funeral Home who kindly assisted with Linda’s final arrangements.
Linda wanted this song featured at her memorial.
Helvegen by Wardruna
(English Translation)
Who shall sing me into the death-sleep sling me
When I walk on the Path of Death and the tracks I tread are cold, so cold
I sought the songs I sent the songs when the deepest well gave me the drops so touched of Death-father’s wager
I know it all, Odin where you hid your eye
Who shall sing me into the death-sleep sling me
When I walk on the Path of Death and the tracks I tread are cold, so cold
early in the days’ end still the raven knows if I fall
When you stand by the Gate of Death And you have to tear free I shall follow you across the Resounding Bridge with my song
You will be free from the bonds that bind you! You are free from the bonds that bound that you!
Cattle die, kinsmen die, the self must also die; but glory never dies, for the man who is able to achieve it.
Cattle die, kinsmen die, the self must also die; I know one thing which never dies: the reputation of each dead man.