Linda Kay Hedges

Linda K Hedges passed away Wednesday, June 17th, 2020 from a fall at her home in McCook.

In a town like McCook, word travels fast. Perhaps you knew Lindy or LK as we called her; if you did, then you know she was an amazingly compassionate and tolerant person. When asked how she wanted to be remembered, she stated:  “that I was kind and caring; that I loved to be helpful to others.” That pretty much described LK. From volunteering in the Methodist Church’s “ Helping Hands” to welcoming  newcomers to McCook via “The Welcome Wagon” and for the past few years, working for “Home Instead Senior Care” by opening an office in downtown McCook ‘ managing an average of 20 placing care givers with folks who needed in-home care, Lindy lived what she believed in- “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Never critical, always polite, she was the friend you wished you had; the aunt who sent little packages in the mail stuffed with family mementos  or funny gifts, the gently teasing older sister.

Linda Kay McGooden was born August 23, 1945 in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Kenneth L McGooden and Lois V McGooden while Kenneth was stationed in the Army Air Corp there. She grew up in McCook and in 1953 was joined by a baby brother, Kip McGooden.  She graduated from McCook High School in (1963), then briefly attended, McCook Jr. College before transferring to Doane College in Crete, NE pursuing the family tradition of teaching. Linda married Robert Hedges, Jr. in Santa Monica, CA in (1968) then moved to Pennsylvania for a short time. It was there that her skills at playing the oboe were recognized as backup in the Philadelphia Philharmonic. Moving back to California, LK lived in Sacramento until 2000, when she returned to McCook to care for her mother, Lois, and, following her mother’s footsteps, joined the McCook PEO chapter FA.  Keeping the PEO secrets from Kip was one of her favorite ways to lovingly torment him. Lindy never did teach, but became a stellar administrative assistant, working for Merrill Lynch in LA and Manpower in Sacramento, before she and Bob divorced.

When Linda returned to Nebraska in 2000, she quickly assimilated into the more relaxed life of McCook, only returning to California occasionally to visit her brother, Kip, her niece, Megan and husband, Joe Pereira;  nephew, Patrick and eventually her great-nieces, Mia Grace, 2 and Ella Kay, 4. Unfortunately she never got to meet Patrick’s  wife, Julia and  4 month old daughter, Jacquelyn Anne.

Linda was preceded in death by her father, Kenneth McGooden in 1996, mother Lois McGooden in 2004.

She is survived by the aforementioned niece, nephew, great nieces, brother Kip and wife Judy and dearest friend, Micky Seefeld .

At Lindy’s request, there will be no services. She will be cremated and ashes spread in a place of her choosing.

Lindy’s special love was cats: cats of any kind or color, especially those in need of food and lodging.  Memorial contributions in her name are suggested to the McCook Humane Society, PO Box 13, McCook, NE 69001.  They are guaranteed to bring a smile to her face in heaven.