Linda Ellen Podas Chapman passed away on April 6, 2024, of natural causes after five years dealing with multiple myeloma. She was born Aug. 11, 1945, the youngest of four children born to Minnie (Jerry) Irene Taylor Podas and Charles Robert Podas.
Linda graduated from Washburn High School in 1963. She then attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, where she earned her associate degree. She always said, “The best 2 years of my life!”
Linda married in 1970 to James Montgomery Chapman (divorced in 1987) and moved to Santa Barbara. Raising two beautiful daughters Caroline and Melissa.
Linda was very active volunteering in her community through Junior League of Santa Barbara, Braille Auxiliary, Music Academy of the West, Family Service Agency, including active participation with her daughter’s schools Laguna Blanca School and San Marcos High School.
Linda always served on the boards where she was affiliated as she wanted to be where the decisions were made!
During her over 50 years in Santa Barbara, Linda worked at Sansum Clinic for over 20 years. First with Dr. Myron Liebhaber in Allergy & Immunology. Then finding her way to the Clinical Research team. It was there for a longer period she worked alongside the Clinical Research nurses as an assistant, primarily supporting trials for Alzheimer’s.
Linda loved getting to organize the trials from A to Z. She was very detail- orientated, and genuinely loved getting to know the people in her community. She always said “Everyone has a story.”
Her last bit of official employment came later to her life at 71 years of age through Northern Trust Bank in Montecito. While just three years at the bank, Linda’s administrative and again organizational skills supported the branch, and she loved greeting and welcoming clients with her warm smile and genuine care.
For her, however, the gift was the joy, friendships and camraderie of her colleagues at Northern Trust. She loved staying active after 70 in her community and visiting with old friends who would come by the bank.
One of her proudest moments was earning her bachelor’s degree in science, cum laude, from Stephens College in 2007. The ceremony was attended by her daughters, her sisters, and three beloved Stephens classmates from 1965.
Her diploma was presented by Dr. Wendy Libby, Stephens president. This was especially meaningful as Linda had served on the search committee to recruit Dr. Libby to Stephens. Linda was a member of the Stephens Alumnae Board.
Linda was a long-time member of All Saint’s-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, where she led the Altar Guild as well as serving on two search committees. She was a former longtime member of The Little Town Club.
Linda is survived by her beloved and beautiful (inside and out) daughters Caroline Victoria Chapman and Melissa Anne Chapman Koonce; her strong, supportive, loving son-in-law Darrin Joseph Koonce; her beloved grandchildren Emma Nicole Koonce and Brady Alexander Koonce; her siblings Patricia Ingersoll (Russell), Gary Podas (Kathy); along with nieces and nephews.
She is also remembered by her former spouse James Montgomery Chapman, whom she shared a chapter of her life’s story. She is predeceased by her parents; her sister Charlene Levy; and her two premature identical twin daughters Mary and Amanda.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Linda Chapman to either All Saint’s-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church or to the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara.
Services will be held at All Saint’s-by-the-Sea in Santa Barbara, summer 2024 details to follow.