Linda Lou Abarbanel, “Lou Lou,” was called home to our Lord on Saturday (Shabbat) September 23, 2023.

Born December 26th, 1936, in Oklahoma, to John Pinkney Harris and Dora Veal, Linda was a bright shining light of love and grace to all who knew her. She was married to David Abarbanel who passed away in 1990. Lou Lou completely dedicated her life to all the children in the Abarbanel family, in all aspects of their lives.

On October 1st, 1957, her life was forever changed by a devastating car accident that left her in a coma for two months with severe brain damage. Due to the severity of the head trauma she suffered, she not only had to learn how to read, write, and speak all over again but was left with permanent balance issues that impaired her ability to walk properly. Furthermore, she was never able to properly walk again due to the damage to her legs. Despite suffering severe aphasia, along with her physical deficiencies, Linda attended NYU where she studied speech therapy. Due to the injuries she suffered, her daily life was always fraught with physical struggle and a need to persevere with great determination and persistent will. Although her accident was a great marker and turning point in her life, it was certainly not what defined her the most. Her faith in God and in Jesus was her identity. Linda was to many a true reflection of Christ himself. Anyone who met her was taken aback by her genuine love and concern for them. She loved God deeply and spent all her life regularly writing hand-written letters of spiritual leading and encouragement to all her children, grandchildren, friends of the family and anyone else she felt needed to be loved. Linda possessed an incredible sense of humour and she absolutely adored joking around with any willing participant. She was a true child of the Most High God and she will be deeply missed by all those who had the blessing of meeting her.

She is survived by her son, Chris and his wife Patricia and their children; Jacob, Rebecca and Nathan. Her son Kevin and his wife Ania and their children; David, Ilan and Gabriella. Her daughter Tracy, and her children; Julia, Jonathan, Emma, and Danielle.

A funeral service will be held at Beechwood Cemetery on Sunday, October 1st at 1:00 p.m. followed by a Reception. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Linda’s congregation, Christ’s Chapel Bible Church in Ottawa (www.christschapelbc.com ).

Linda's internment will be held on Monday, October 2nd at 2 p.m. at Beechwood Cemetery (please meet at the reception desk by 1:45 p.m.). We recognize that not everyone will be able to attend since it is a day after the funeral service and also a work/school day. But for those who can attend, you are warmly invited to be present.