The following is a submitted obituary. The Mendocino Voice welcomes obituary submissions and publishes them free-of-charge for any North Coast resident or family. Contact us at info@mendovoice.com.
Linda Pacini Pitelka, beloved spouse, mother, grandmother, historian, and lifelong reader, died peacefully of heart failure on February 11, 2026, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, at age 78, surrounded by her family.
Born in Ukiah, Linda grew up in Mendocino County and was the first in her family to attend college. At Humboldt State, she discovered her love of theater and film and met her future husband, Vince, beginning a 57‑year partnership. She later managed the historic Minor and Arcata theatres, nurturing a family passion for cinema.
Linda earned a PhD in American history from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, specializing in late 19th- and early 20th‑century California. She taught American history at Maryville University in St. Louis from 1994 until her retirement in 2018. She is remembered as a rigorous, compassionate, and inspiring professor.
A devoted reader, feminist, and sharp conversationalist, Linda filled her life with books, ideas, gardening, and time with family. Her years in Chapel Hill brought her great joy, especially time spent with her grandsons.
She is survived by her husband, Vince; her son Morgan and daughter‑in‑law Brenda; her grandsons, Ravi and Luca; her sister, Debbie Schumaker Wismer; and many friends, colleagues, and former students.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ACLU or the Immigrant Defense Project.