Linda Roy, an educator at Congregation Anshei Israel for 30 years, died April 15, 2015 at age 66.
Ms. Roy, a native of Southern California, came to Tucson in the early 1980s from San Bernardino, Calif. It was in Tucson that she “explored her Jewish heritage through her deep connection to the Tucson Jewish community, especially Congregation Anshei Israel,” says her daughter, Sari Allen. Roy began working at Anshei Israel as a preschool teacher, later becoming the youth and adult program director. But it was above all her work with CAI’s United Synagogue Youth program, building an award-winning program of Jewish learning, service projects, Israel education and social activities, which made her “a well-known and well-loved personality” not only in Tucson but throughout USY’s Far-West region, says her daughter.
“Linda wore the passion with which she approached her work on her sleeve,” says CAI’s Rabbi Robert Eisen. “She was one who has ‘affected Eternity’ many times over. No one will ever know or measure where her influence did not reach. Certainly her impact upon our lives will be a source of permanent blessing never to be forgotten by the countless people of all ages who she touched.”
Ms. Roy “was brilliant to focus on our youth, for they will go out and sow what she has planted in their hearts,” a friend, Ronnie Stern Sebold, said in a Facebook post. “I have known Linda Roy for over 35 years,” says Sebold. “She has been a part of each of my children’s lives, especially my daughters’, since she was also their preschool teacher and USY leader. … She nurtured them, taught them, and showed them what it means to be a Jewish community. … Here is a woman with one daughter and barely a family (except for so many friends), yet she is leaving a legacy behind that is so huge! One person can and does make a difference!”
Survivors include her daughter, Sari (Rabbi Uri) Allen of Penn Valley, Pa., and three grandchildren.
Services were held at Congregation Anshei Israel with Rabbi Robert Eisen officiating. Interment was at Evergreen Cemetery.
