Linda Gold: 1949-2010
Linda Gold, beloved wife of ComicMix editor in chief Mike Gold, mother of assistant editor Adriane Nash, and frequent commenter on this site, died this morning of a heart attack. She was 60 years old.
She was the biggest Green Lantern fan I’ve ever known, with a particular fondness for Guy Gardner.
She knew more about jazz artists of the 20’s and 30’s than anyone who didn’t have a radio show.
She was smart as a whip, and could debate anything with passion and verve.
She was a treasure, and was appreciated by everybody who knew her.
We all miss her very much.
More details to come.
UPDATE 1:30 PM EDT 5/30: Thank you for all of your good words and memories. Various tributes and reminiscences are also up at Linda’s and Mike’s Facebook pages.
Challengers Comics in Chicago has gone one step beyond and created the Linda Gold Memorial Selection:
a designation we will give any book we feel brings as much wonder and
joy to its reader as Linda gave to our lives.
Their first selection is Scott Pilgrim, Vol. 1: Scott Pilgrim’s Precious Little Life
.
UPDATE 6/2: Should you be so inclined and your circumstances allow, charitable
donations could be made in Linda’s name to The Hero Initiative, http://www.heroinitiative.
Fund (CBLDF), http://cbldf.org/.
About a year and a half ago, I connected with Linda Gold on facebook. We had “met” exchanging comments here on ComicMix. She would regularly comment on my facebook page, at least as much as anyone else there. Her comments were interesting, insightful, funny and unfailingly encouraging and kind. She was a good friend. I sincerely wish that I had met her. And I will miss her.
Like so many people are saying over on Facebook, she was really good at keeping in touch with people there and quick to share a smart comment.
I never see Green Lantern without thinking about Linda. I mailed a letter for Mike and used a Green Lantern stamp (on purpose, of course). He walked over to her and said “Oh no, Green Lantern has been cancelled!” She was worried that he meant the GL comic series until he showed her the cancelled stamp on my envelope…
Without Linda, I would never have met Mike or be a part of ComicMix. She came by Unshaven Comics’ table and listened to our idiotic little pitch. She looked us all in the eye and truly took time to listen to us, and then talk to us. And after our pitch she not only bought our book, but she told us how “we had to meet her husband.” The rest as they say.. is history.Linda was an amazing person. In the few times Unshaven Comics, and my wife Kathy and I were lucky enough to break bread with her, she was a joy to be with. Always quick with a recommendation for any number of Manga, comics or cartoons… she exemplified the best qualities of a both a fan and friend. This news is truly shocking and saddening.Her friendship was infinitely treasured. She will be forever missed.
To Mike, Adriane and the rest of the ComicMix crew: These sentiments were written by Marc but felt by both of us. Linda will truly be missed by a number of people as she was loved by many as well.
I never met Linda but, being a part of the comic world for nearly 30 yrs., my heart goes out to Mike and his family and friends. With sympathy and prayers of strength, you are all in my thoughts, Francine
She was a profoundly good and thoughtful person and as I wrote to Mike and Adriane privately, I wish I could think of something meaningful to say – but I’m just too sad.bob tinnell
Like so many people are saying over on Facebook, she was really good at keeping in touch with people there and quick to share a smart comment.I never see Green Lantern without thinking about Linda. I mailed a letter for Mike and used a Green Lantern stamp (on purpose, of course). He walked over to her and said "Oh no, Green Lantern has been cancelled!" She was worried that he meant the GL comic series until he showed her the cancelled stamp on my envelope…
My thoughts go out to Mr. Gold and his family during this time.
About a year and a half ago, I connected with Linda Gold on facebook. We had "met" exchanging comments here on ComicMix. She would regularly comment on my facebook page, at least as much as anyone else there. Her comments were interesting, insightful, funny and unfailingly encouraging and kind. She was a good friend. I sincerely wish that I had met her. And I will miss her.
My heart is in my throat. This is so unexpected, and I never know what to say that’s correct or incorrect or otherwise. The Gold family aren’t just a part of my ComicMix experience, they are my ComicMix experience. My heart goes out to Adrianne and Mike. I wish you strength. You’ll be in my thoughts.
I never met Linda but, being a part of the comic world for nearly 30 yrs., my heart goes out to Mike and his family and friends. With sympathy and prayers of strength, you are all in my thoughts, Francine
Without Linda, I would never have met Mike or be a part of ComicMix. She came by Unshaven Comics' table and listened to our idiotic little pitch. She looked us all in the eye and truly took time to listen to us, and then talk to us. And after our pitch she not only bought our book, but she told us how "we had to meet her husband." The rest as they say.. is history.Linda was an amazing person. In the few times Unshaven Comics, and my wife Kathy and I were lucky enough to break bread with her, she was a joy to be with. Always quick with a recommendation for any number of Manga, comics or cartoons… she exemplified the best qualities of a both a fan and friend. This news is truly shocking and saddening.Her friendship was infinitely treasured. She will be forever missed.
To Mike, Adriane and the rest of the ComicMix crew: These sentiments were written by Marc but felt by both of us. Linda will truly be missed by a number of people as she was loved by many as well.
She was a profoundly good and thoughtful person and as I wrote to Mike and Adriane privately, I wish I could think of something meaningful to say – but I'm just too sad.bob tinnell
Mike, we were so saddened to hear the news. Our deepest condolences on your loss.
Mr. Gold, I am sincerely sorry to hear this news. I wish you my deepest condolences, and you and your family will be in my prayers.
My thoughts go out to Mr. Gold and his family during this time.
Mike, I’m truly saddened to hear of your loss. Both Agnes and I send our condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
My heart is in my throat. This is so unexpected, and I never know what to say that's correct or incorrect or otherwise. The Gold family aren't just a part of my ComicMix experience, they are my ComicMix experience. My heart goes out to Adrianne and Mike. I wish you strength. You'll be in my thoughts.
I’m so sorry to hear this. My condolences.
Mike, we were so saddened to hear the news. Our deepest condolences on your loss.
i adored Linda during our interactions on Facebook, i never met her or Mike face-to-face but i figured i would eventually meet them both at a convention.
Mr. Gold, I am sincerely sorry to hear this news. I wish you my deepest condolences, and you and your family will be in my prayers.
This is indeed a shock! My deepest condolences to Mike and Adriane for your loss. My thoughts are with you at this sad time!
Adriane and Mike, I am so very sorry to hear of Linda’s untimely passing. Condolences on the loss of a mother and a wife.
I didn’t think I could be in this much pain ever again. Mike and Adrianne I love you guys very much and I’m so sorry for your lost.
Mike, I'm truly saddened to hear of your loss. Both Agnes and I send our condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
I'm so sorry to hear this. My condolences.
This is indeed a shock! My deepest condolences to Mike and Adriane for your loss. My thoughts are with you at this sad time!
i adored Linda during our interactions on Facebook, i never met her or Mike face-to-face but i figured i would eventually meet them both at a convention.
Adriane and Mike, I am so very sorry to hear of Linda's untimely passing. Condolences on the loss of a mother and a wife.
As a longtime fan and admirer of Mr. Gold’s work, my heart and sympathies go out to him and his family in this rough time.
I didn't think I could be in this much pain ever again. Mike and Adrianne I love you guys very much and I'm so sorry for your lost.
Oh, God. Linda was sooo sweet! I knew her through Mike Gold, we shared only a few laughs and conversations, but she always made me feel warm and welcome. So sorry for your loss, Mike. Our thoughts are with both of you.Mike Avon Oeming
She was a swell lady, smart, kind, funny, and just a ray of light in a too dark world. My heart goes out to Mike, Adriane, and all the friends who loved her. There were a lot of us.
As a longtime fan and admirer of Mr. Gold's work, my heart and sympathies go out to him and his family in this rough time.
Mike and Adriane, my deepest condolences. Linda was a treasure. I’ll miss her tremendously.
Oh, God. Linda was sooo sweet! I knew her through Mike Gold, we shared only a few laughs and conversations, but she always made me feel warm and welcome. So sorry for your loss, Mike. Our thoughts are with both of you.Mike Avon Oeming
She was a swell lady, smart, kind, funny, and just a ray of light in a too dark world. My heart goes out to Mike, Adriane, and all the friends who loved her. There were a lot of us.
Mike and Adriane, my deepest condolences. Linda was a treasure. I'll miss her tremendously.
Condolences, Mike and Adriane.
My condolences to her family.
Condolences, Mike and Adriane.
My condolences to her family.
My condolences to you and your family, Mike. Sad news indeed.
I’m very sorry for your loss. My deepest condolences to you and your family.
Aw, no. Would that I had known her–and my deepest sympathies to all who did.
My condolences to you and your family, Mike. Sad news indeed.
What sad news. Mike, my deepest condolences to you and your family.
I never got to know Linda, and wish I had. She sounds like she coulda been my sister; I’m the same way about obscure rock bands that she was about jazz. And I can talk with anyone about anything, so we’d have gotten on famously. I know it sounds dumb, but losing a friend I never got to make, hurts.Mike, if there’s anything I can do, say so, okay?
I'm very sorry for your loss. My deepest condolences to you and your family.
Aw, no. Would that I had known her–and my deepest sympathies to all who did.
What sad news. Mike, my deepest condolences to you and your family.
I never got to know Linda, and wish I had. She sounds like she coulda been my sister; I'm the same way about obscure rock bands that she was about jazz. And I can talk with anyone about anything, so we'd have gotten on famously. I know it sounds dumb, but losing a friend I never got to make, hurts.Mike, if there's anything I can do, say so, okay?
My deepest condolences to you both, Mike & Adriane.
My deepest condolences to you both, Mike & Adriane.
Thank you, all, for your heartfelt comments. Adriane and I deeply appreciate them. The comics community might be a donut shop, but it’s full of warm, compassionate and intelligent people. We are glad to be part of it, and we are glad to have you all as friends.Mike and Adriane
Just returned from vacation and heard the sad news. Mike, you and Adriane have my heartfelt condolences.
Thank you, all, for your heartfelt comments. Adriane and I deeply appreciate them. The comics community might be a donut shop, but it's full of warm, compassionate and intelligent people. We are glad to be part of it, and we are glad to have you all as friends.Mike and Adriane
Just returned from vacation and heard the sad news. Mike, you and Adriane have my heartfelt condolences.
I just scrolled down after posting about Al Williamson’s passing and found out. Mike and Adriane, I am so very sorry for your loss. I remember Linda going back to the 1985 Chicago Comic Con program book where she reminisced on its history. My deep condolences to all who knew and loved her.
I just scrolled down after posting about Al Williamson's passing and found out. Mike and Adriane, I am so very sorry for your loss. I remember Linda going back to the 1985 Chicago Comic Con program book where she reminisced on its history. My deep condolences to all who knew and loved her.