Irwin, Melinda 'Linda' Ann

Melinda “Linda” Ann Irwin, of Iowa City, Iowa, passed away peacefully at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics on Jan. 7, 2011, after a brief illness. Services will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service in Iowa City. Pastor Doug Williams will officiate. Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. until service time at the funeral home. Burial will be private at Oakland Cemetery at a later date.

Linda was born May 23, 1954, in Iowa City, Iowa, to Robert and Phyllis Irwin. During her childhood and into her young adult years, Linda attended the Blackstrap School, Nelson School and Pine School (also known as The Hospital School). She then began a long successful employment with Systems Unlimited. For 11 years she worked part time for The Center for Developmental Disabilities as a production technician who provided copy center services for the CDD staff.

While at Systems Unlimited, Linda received Worker of the Year and in 2009 she received a Self Advocate Award from The Johnson County Arc Linda was also the first ever E.S. American Idol Winner in August 2007. Linda was an avid collector of Barbie dolls and Beanie Babies. She loved to sketch and write poetry.

In her earlier years, Linda enjoyed traveling. She has been to the Wisconsin Dells, Mackinac Island, Niagara Falls, Toronto, Mount Rushmore, The Black Hills, Yellowstone National Park and Disneyland, Universal Studios and Knott's Berry Farm. Linda enjoyed many musicals and Big Band music.

Linda leaves behind many wonderful friends and family. She was a very gentle and kind person who only saw the good in each and every person she met. She will be missed by all.

She is survived by her mother, Phyllis of Iowa City; her brother, Bob of Iowa City; her sister, Lisa (Bill) Detweiler of Ames; nephew, Matt of Ames; aunts and uncles, Dwight and Vivian Irwin of Muscatine, George and Marguerite Irwin of Oklahoma, Ellen and Paul Burton of Congerville, Ill., and Paul Irwin of North Carolina; and several cousins.

She was preceded in death by her father, Robert; her maternal grandparents, Otto and Anna Matson; paternal grandparents, Paul and Ruth Irwin; and stepgrandmother, Elsie Irwin.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Systems Unlimited, Center for Developmental Disabilities or Iowa City Hospice.

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