Linda J. Curtis died Wednesday, April 27th, at her home following a lengthy illness. She was the wife of Daniel F. Curtis with whom she (patiently) shared over 40 years of marriage.

Born on June 1st, 1947, in Salem, MA, she was the daughter of the late Haig and Edith (Nordigian) Arakelian. She attended the Peabody public schools, and was a member of the Peabody High School class of 1964. Following high school she attended Salem State University, from which she earned a Master in Education degree. She was an exceptional elementary school teacher, and is fondly remembered by many of her students as a strong and positive influence.

A gentle and quiet person, she made many wonderful life-long friends, and was a 'surrogate mom' and advisor to many others. Linda was an adventurous cook and a 'keeper of the flame' for Armenian food, which was always a family favorite. Holidays were always replete with full tables for family and dear friends. She loved musicals, flowers and movies, as well as having a good foot rub! Linda was an active volunteer with her daughters' schools and soccer teams, and was always the first to open her home to the countless friends who were forever dropping in for food, advice, or for her famous "TV Night" events.

For many years she held a Christmas Craft Fair (with Betsy Geheb) that seemed to bring the whole community closer. She loved antiquing, auctions and the creative arts.

Linda is survived by her husband, Dan; her daughter, Elizabeth Faria and husband Brian, and grandson Nolan, of Danvers, her daughter Catherine Curtis, of Boston; her brother Vartan Arakelian and his wife Gerry, of Chocowinity, North Carolina; the Geheb, Lawler, and Burke families, and lifelong friend Jan Pagano, as well as several nieces, nephews and loving cousins. She is pre-deceased by her parents Haig and Edith Arakelian, and by her beloved aunties, Ethel and Mary Arakelian. Linda will be dearly missed.

Arrangements: Her Funeral Service will be held in the Peterson-O'Donnell Funeral Home, 167 Maple Street (Route 62), Danvers, on Tuesday, May 3 at 11 A.M. Burial in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Danvers. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours in the funeral home on Monday, May 2 from 4 to 8 P.M. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the Kaplan Family Hospice House, 78 Liberty Street, Danvers, MA 01923, or to Project Night-Night (benefitting homeless children) at 148 Beulah Street, San Francisco, CA 94117. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com .