Fond Farewell: Retired Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Linda Boone

Linda Boone, an alumna and retired lecturer in communication sciences and disorders, passed away July 14. She was 73.

Born May 20, 1947, in Mountain View, Boone grew up playing piano, dancing, and going on family trips with her parents and siblings. She met her husband, William Daniel Boone, on a blind date in 1968, fell quickly in love, and was engaged within three months. They married in 1969 and moved to Durham, where they would raise their three children and enjoy hobbies like swimming, softball, waterskiing, traveling, and golf.

While she raised their children, Boone pursued a study of communication sciences and disorders at Chico State, graduating with her bachelors’ degree in speech pathology in 1980, and her master’s degree and credential in 1982. She worked as a speech therapist for many years through the public school system, rehabilitation hospitals, and private practice. She was hired as a lecturer at Chico State in 1973, a role she would enjoy for 18 years.

Professor Emerita Judith Brasseur shared that Boone touched a lot of lives during her tenure on campus and had a positive impact on countless students and clients.

“She was a hard-working, dedicated clinical educator and shared her time, talent, and expertise with all lucky enough to have her as a supervisor,” she said.

Alumna Jennifer Haller (Speech Pathology and Audiology, ’99; MA, Speech Pathology and Audiology, Credential, ’01) was fortunate to have Boone as her supervisor when she was a student, and also worked with many of her students once Haller became a speech language pathologist. She said Boone leaves a significant legacy.

“She was caring and gracious,” Haller said. “She will live on in the world of the many [speech language pathologists] she taught and the many people she touched.”

In retirement Boone enjoyed an active social life, including the Women’s Book Club in Durham, bridge clubs, and many rounds of golf and charity tournaments with friends at Butte Creek and Canyon Oaks Country Clubs. She was proud to have hit two hole-in-ones in her lifetime and for being voted Most Inspirational Player of 2019 at Canyon Oaks.

Boone is survived by her husband, Danny; daughters Erica and Danelle; son Ryan; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and her brother and sister.

A celebration of life will be planned in Chico when circumstances allow. We will share those details when we know them. The family asks that any memorial contributions in her name be made to the American Brain Tumor Association.

The University flag will be lowered Thursday, October 29, in her memory.