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In Memoriam: Linda Clingerman

August 21, 2009 9:56 AM

  • In Memoriam: Linda Clingerman
  • Linda Clingerman

Linda Jeane Clingerman, former director of policy development and communication, died of a heart attack at her home in San Gabriel on Aug. 9.

Clingerman was born in Colby, Kansas. After completing a bachelor’s degree in art history at California State University, Northridge, she obtained her first graphic arts job at a small manufacturing company by creating a portfolio of fine drawings of pipe sensor valves. From there, she worked in graphic design, production layout, typesetting, photography, advertising copy and design, and editorial work for daily and weekly newspapers.

Her first broader communications position came about when she was asked to join the start-up of one of the nation’s early tax-deferred retirement plans in Washington, D.C., in an administrative position. That job grew into developing and managing their communications program during their rapid growth over the next five years. After a three-year break to be a full-time mother and relocation to California, she restarted her career at Pasadena City College as publications editor.

Clingerman spent her last 24 years at USC in publications and communications. She came here as director of university publications, where her first job was to create the academic catalogue for the university. She then moved into development communications and to various communications positions in admissions, which grew to include online publishing. She became the director of policy development and communications in August 2000.

Though her professional life focused on the verbal (writing, editing and publishing), the visual arts were Clingerman’s lifelong avocation. She began studying botanical watercolor in 2002 in a course at the Huntington Botanical Gardens.

“I love the completely absorbing, meditative quality of botanical painting. It is the antidote for me to the busy, noisy world I live in,” she said. “Studying, drawing and painting plants nourishes my joy and wonder in the beauty and complexity of the created world.”

Clingerman is survived by Jerry, her husband of 39 years; daughter Elizabeth; mother Jeane Cornelius Miller and sister Brenda Thompson, both of Kansas; brother Tack Cornelius of Gainesville, Ga.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial donations can be sent to The Huntington c/o Kimberly Valentine, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, CA 91108. All gifts support botanical education.