Linda Storme (Gale) Starkey

Linda Storme (Gale) Starkey, 77, passed away peacefully on August 21, 2025 at Village Crossing Assisted Living in Frederick, Maryland.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Harry Starkey, Jr.; her parents Rodney Gale and Bernice (Gale) Sabins; her infant brother, Dodge Gale; and her beloved sister, Shawn (Gale) Bisson.

She is survived by her two children: son Christopher Todd Starkey and his wife, Carrie Elizabeth (Strider) and their children: Nicholas Taylor and Samuel Cooper of Waynesboro, PA; and daughter Rebecca Ann (Starkey) and her husband, Charles Leroy Highbarger, Jr of Waynesboro, PA, and their children: Makenzie Grace of Thorndale, PA and Kassidy Paige of Greencastle, PA; two sisters: Sheri Casella Wilson of Brattleboro, VT and Jana Labbe of Spofford, NH: and several nieces and nephews.

Linda was born on April 12, 1948, in Bellows Falls, Vermont. She graduated from Bellows Falls High School in 1966 and was a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, and served as Class Treasurer for 4 years. She was also named Vermont Junior Miss in 1965. Linda married, Harry Starkey, Jr. on April 28, 1968 in Brattleboro, Vermont at the Baptist Church. She was baptized into the Seventh-Day Adventist Church on November 8, 1975.

Linda worked at the State of Vermont for the Department of Social Services and Vocational Rehabilitation from 1978 to 1985. She joined the SDA Church in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, after moving to Hagerstown, Maryland in 1985 where she served as a deaconess. She then worked at the Review & Herald Publishing Association in Hagerstown, MD first in Advertising and then as a typesetter. She served as an Executive Assistant to four Vice Presidents in the Editorial Division, She retired on June 1, 2013.

Linda was a bright ray of sunshine to everyone she knew. She cared about every single person she met during her life's journey. Known as "Ms. Hallmark", she would send cards for every occasion to brighten someone's day, even to the staff at her favorite Hallmark store! She wrote beautiful poems for special occasions, one of the many heartfelt gifts she would give others. Linda was a great baker, making the best homemade bread, cinnamon roll-ups and incredible apple pies! She was the most caring Mom, fun Grammy and steadfast friend. She made the world a more kind and gentle place. Linda loved Jesus and is ready for his Second Coming; resting now with Harry, the love of her life, by her side.

Linda will be entombed in a private ceremony at Greenlawn Cemetery in Williamsport, MD on August 29, 2025. A memorial service for family and friends will be held on September 12, 2025 at 1:00 pm at Rest Haven Funeral Home in Hagerstown, MD. Pastor Dwain Esmond will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Waynesboro SDA Church P.O. Box 123 Waynesboro, PA or to Give Kids The World Village www.gktw.org.