Linda Bernice Klodnicki
It is with intense heartbreak, deep sorrow, and incredible sadness that we share news of the passing of Linda Bernice (Watson) Klodnicki (Born: 31 May 1946; Passed: 2 December 2025) at Muskoka Landing Long Term Care in Huntsville, Ontario, Canada. Youngest daughter of the late Lauretta Miller (1982), George Watson (1951), and step-daughter to (Doc) Vaughn Miller (2001). Linda was the one true love and constant life partner to Henryk (Hank) Klodnicki (Passed: 19 June 2023), and very proud mom, as well as life-coach, celebrant, and "ship's captain" to her three kids: James Henryk Klodnicki (Renee Trepanier), David Andrew Vaughn Klodnicki (Kate Klodnicki - passed 15 July 2024), and Jill Antonina Klodnicki (Nic Zimmer). Mom was a supremely proud Grandma/Gramma to her adored, celebrated, and talked-about grandchildren: Nadia, Jacques, Yanik, Olivia, Lennon, and Layka. Mom was also Aunt Linda to a massive family of nieces, nephews, and cousins from across Canada, the United States, Britain, and in Europe. Mom is regularly referred to as the "best of friends" and "one of the kindest people ever" by her many comrades, mates, friends, and buddies.
Mom was an adored little sister, born into a large farming family of 6 siblings: Bill Watson (Bernice), George Watson (Elma), Marian Anderson (Al), Betty Guffey (Tom), Elsie Morrison (Bob), and Jim Watson (Hilary). Mom grew up doing 4H club, horse-back riding, and competitive baseball in various homes and farms in the Oil Springs and Petrolia, Ontario communities with plans for adulthood of clerical/secretarial work at Esso in Sarnia. She traveled extensively while working at Esso, including across North America and Europe, with girlfriends and sisters. Mom had a passion for education, and completed her secondary and post-secondary education certificates through night-school and correspondence courses (long before online was an option). At the same time, she was moving from Southern Ontario to Huntsville and juggling the new and busy careers of being wife/partner to Dad, legal secretary to several law firms, and mother to 3 pretty spectacular yet busy kids. Prior to her move to Huntsville, mom attended a "swinging singles" dance and had the good fortune to meet a cute Sarnia lad. Thankfully, Dad stepped in and stole Mom's heart from his buddy. The happy couple sealed their relationship with a wedding during the Summer of Love, specifically on 9 August 1969. With Huntsville being a solid 5-7 hour drive from Sarnia (depending on the weather and construction!), Mom and Dad created a second family with their friends in Huntsville. Mom's favourite past-time, after proudly exclaiming on the achievements and accomplishments of her kids and grandkids, was to connect, create community, and celebrate the successes of her friends, family and their kids through events and get-togethers. Mom had a talent for writing, continued to take University courses long after her kids completed their post-secondary studies, and also loved to travel with Dad and friends, whether golfing in Florida, flying to Hawaii, or tourist travel on ocean cruises. We extend huge thanks to the Huntsville families and Sarnia/Lambton families for their love and support of our Mom - her passion for new experiences, her excitement for the achievements of others, and her constantly positive engagement with each person she met was always genuine and will be missed by all who had the chance to know her. Mom often talked of the blessings of family and friends but, truly, it was we who were so lucky, Mom, to have had you in our lives. As Mom said in one of her final cards to Dad, "Thank you for sharing your life with me!"
Mom's passing at Muskoka Landing amidst the caring and capable support of family and staff was not in her original plan but, as with many of her life's adventures, was a very new experience for all. In keeping with Mom and Dad's extremely well-organized and planned-out lives, they had completed "just in case" files with details on next steps, arrangements, memory items…and a final message to their kids which, we think, is applicable to all those who loved and were loved by Mom and Dad:
"We love you all so very much and we are so very proud of the people you have become. You are everything a mother and father could want for their children and more. You are wonderful parents, supportive spouses, and kind and compassionate siblings and friends. Take care of each other and enjoy your time with your spouses, children, and siblings. Time speeds by and life is so short. Family is important. If you need us, close your eyes and, if possible, we'll be there."
The Service for Mom will occur at All Saints Anglican Church on Saturday, 13 December 2025 at 1:00 pm. Visitation is planned at the church at 12:30 pm. A private internment will occur at a later time in the spring at the Hutcheson Memorial Cemetery, Huntsville.
While flowers are always appreciated, donations in Mom's name to Parkinson Canada, or Huntsville Festival of the Arts, would also be deeply appreciated.