Linda L. Golden, 73

On Oct. 1, 2026, God opened up the heavenly gates to welcome Linda Lovely Golden. Boy, I hope he is ready for a woman who is proud of her French-Canadian Indian heritage, proud to be a Granite Stater and Yankee Independent.

She was born in May of 1953, to Lionel and Madeline Lovely on Pickerel Pond in Laconia, where she lived for the first 50 years of her life. She, along with her brothers Mike and Matt, enjoyed farm life, going between her parents' and grandparents’ farms on The Pond. From her grandmother she learned how to cook, and spent time helping her grandfather with his veggie stand selling corn. Her parents had a commercial chicken farm which she also worked. She spent so much time at her grandparents’ farm that her uncles affectionately called her a “pain in the butt.”

Linda went through the Laconia school system, graduating from Laconia High in 1971. She remained close to classmates, being on the reunion committee for 55 years.

On The Pond, Linda raised her three boys, Nicholas, Jared and Ryan, “The Champagne Boys.” She worked hard to have them become the strong men they are today. They love to tell the story of when they were young, she had wooden spoons for disciplinary measures until the day they secretly burned them all in the wood stove. Summers on The Pond at the family camp were her true love. Organizing reunions, and just enjoying life. The card games were brutal and she and her Uncle Dede are famous for being the biggest cheaters in the French game of Horse. She got married to her husband Patrick in 2001 at the camp during one of those special reunions.

All of Linda’s grandchildren flocked to her; she was always open to them and listened to all. Two special projects were having her grandson Austin learn how to save and invest money and granddaughter Lilly learn how to cook. Time will tell if she was successful. Linda has a large network of friends and family and we’re all going to miss her dearly.

Per her wishes there will be no services or calling hours but, in typical Linda fashion, she wants a celebration of life party on The Pond in July of 2027.

Linda, you will never be forgotten and always loved.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, visit wilkinsonbeane.com.