Linda Gardner Lane (64) passed away Sunday, July 27, 2025 in her hometown of Livingston, TX. Linda was born in Houston, TX, April 11, 1961 to parents Laura Morgan (nutritionist) and Marion Hooks (geologist). Both parents died when Linda was young and she was raised in Livingston by her aunt Jannis Duncan.

Linda attended Livingston High School (class of 1980) before earning a bachelor of horticulture from Sam Houston State University, then later, earning a teaching certificate. Linda worked as a vet tech, in advertisement at Horseman magazine, then taught 7th grade life science before starting her own pet sitting business and opening, "Almost Home Pet Retreat" in Conroe, TX - a highly sought after, cage-free, doggie daycare. In later years she moved back to her home town of Livingston, TX and worked for the Center of Hope and volunteered at the Livingston SPCA. Linda had a passion for caring for animals and plants.

Linda is survived by her children Catherine Cartwright and Allen Keef, her mother Jannis Duncan, brothers Todd Gardner and Jeff Gardner and their wives BJ and Lecie Gardner, as well as family from her mothers side including Richard Morgan.

Her wishes were to be cremated and her children plan to scatter her ashes throughout the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.

No public memorial service will be held, but the family invites you to honor her life and memory in some of the suggested ways:

Make a donation in honor of Linda Lane to an organization she cared about:

·         Polk County SPCA of Livingston https://www.spcapolk.org/

·         Center of Hope https://www.centerofhopepolk.org/

·         Plant a pink rose bush in her memory, and tell it every day how beautiful it is.

·         Share photos and memories on her Facebook page or send to/ reach out directly to Catherine Cartwright.