Obituary of Linda L Pogany

            Linda L. Pogany was born in Leoma, Tennessee on August 28, 1939. She was the first child born to James H. and Shirley E. Lumpkins. After graduating from Manchester High School in Manchester, TN., Linda moved to Nashville to attend Belmont College where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education with a minor in Spanish. Linda also took voice lessons while at Belmont and performed in many college musicals and concerts. Though it was against the Belmont College rules of conduct and at the risk of being expelled from college if she got caught, (which she didn’t), Linda entered a dance contest on American Bandstand. She and her dance partner won second place. During this same time, Linda met her future husband, Gilbert C. Pogany. After graduating from Belmont, Linda attended George Peabody College, which is now an integral part of Vanderbilt University. It was here that Linda earned her Master’s Degree in Education. 

            In 1962, Gilbert and Linda were married in Manchester, TN. They settled in New Orleans, LA. Linda began teaching at a school in Metairie, LA. while Gilbert attended Tulane University, earning his PhD in Embryology. It was during this time that, in 1963, Gilbert and Linda’s daughter, Shirley, was born. After Gilbert’s completion of his doctoral program at Tulane University, the family moved to Emory, VA. where Gilbert accepted a position in the Biology Department at Emory and Henry College and Linda taught at a local elementary school.

            In 1967, the family moved to Brussels, Belgium for a year of post-doctoral research. They enjoyed traveling all over Europe when they could and especially enjoyed visiting family in Budapest, Hungary. In 1968 they returned to Emory, VA. and resumed teaching.

            In 1968, Gilbert was offered a teaching position at Northern Arizona University, (NAU) which he accepted, and so, in 1969 the family packed up and moved to Flagstaff, AZ. Shortly after their arrival, Gilbert and Linda’s second child, Paul, was born. With two children, one in 1st grade and one an infant, Linda decided to stay home and tended to the care and raising of the family until Paul was old enough to go to 1st grade. While at home, Linda kept very busy with church activities and teaching a 4-H cooking class.

            After her son, Paul, started attending elementary school, Linda began focusing on returning to work. She applied for and was offered a position as the ESL (English as a Second Language) and Title One Reading teacher for Tuba City Public Schools in Cameron, AZ. She taught there for twelve years. During those twelve years, she attended NAU and earned her Master’s Degree in TESL, (Teaching English as a Second Language).

            In 1995, after Gilbert retired from NAU, they moved to Cottonwood, AZ. They both began teaching part time at Beaver Creek Elementary School. Linda taught remedial reading and Gilbert taught advanced math.

            Throughout her life Linda was devoted to her church and her family. Within the church she assumed a number of responsibilities including teaching Vacation Bible School every summer, she was the Director of WMU, (Women’s Missionary Union), and was always an active member of the church choir. Linda often sang solos at church which she enjoyed very much, especially during the Christmas season when she would sing a particular solo while Gilbert accompanied her on the piano. She and her daughter, Shirley, also sang with the Verde Voices choir for one year. 

            Linda enjoyed traveling. Besides the year the family spent in Europe, Linda traveled to Africa, staying there for about three weeks and visiting Kenya, Nairobi and other places. In the late 1990s she traveled to China by herself. Gilbert also went to China alone but a few years later both Linda and Gilbert returned to China together, sightseeing for a couple of weeks. One of the highlights of their trip was a boat cruise down the Yangtze River. Linda and her husband enjoyed several visits to Los Angeles, CA. when their daughter Shirley lived there from 1996 to 2007. Throughout the years the family made many summertime cross country road trips to Tennessee in an old car with no air conditioning. During those long and hot road trips Linda kept her children happy and focused on something besides the miserable heat by singing songs and playing games. Linda and Gilbert traveled extensively after retiring. They visited Yellowstone National Park, Bryce Canyon, Durango, CO where they rode on the Silverton Train. Linda traveled with her daughter Shirley and Shirley’s son, Michael Terrell, to Vancouver, British Columbia and Queen Victoria Island. Linda, accompanied by her daughter, always looked forward to traveling back to Manchester, TN. for her high school reunions. It was during one of these trips that Linda joined Shirley on an impromptu visit to the Jack Daniel’s distillery in Lynchburg, TN., surprisingly located in one of the few remaining “Dry Counties.” (no alcohol allowed).

            In 1997, Linda was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease which she was able to successfully control until the last three years of her life when the severity of her condition made it difficult and eventually impossible to sustain her normal activities.

            Linda passed away on February 10, 2018. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Gilbert C. Pogany of Cottonwood, AZ., her daughter Shirley R. Pogany of Clarkdale, AZ., her granddaughter Maia R. Pogany of Mesa, AZ., grandsons Michael R. Terrell, (wife Ashley Arroyo Terrell) of Cottonwood, AZ, Mason Pogany-Ralston and Holden Pogany-Ralston of Phoenix, AZ. In addition, she is survived by her sisters Sylvia Houser (Bob) of Florida, Dianne Griffith (Gary) of Tennessee and her brother, Jim Lumpkins (Kathy) of Tennessee, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Linda was preceded in death by her parents, James H. and Shirley E. Lumpkins and her son, Paul W. Pogany. 

            A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 2, 2018 at Clarkdale Baptist Church, 1051 AZ-89A at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made, in Linda Pogany’s name, to the Barrows Neurological Foundation at 124 West Thomas Rd., Suite 250, Phoenix, AZ. 85013, 602-406 3041 or https://www.supportbarrow.org/ways-to-give/honor-someone-special.