Linda Finsterwald Obituary

Linda Pedigo Finsterwald, a resident of Orlando, FL and Colorado Springs, passed away on June 13, 2015 at Penrose Hospital.

Linda was born in Lancaster, Ohio on June 26, 1929, the daughter of Dr. Rudolph and Mary Pedigo. She graduated from Athens High School (Ohio). As a student at Ohio University, she was an active member of her sorority, the "Sweet-Heart" of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, a cheerleader and a member of the homecoming court. She graduated in 1951 with a BA in education. Upon graduation she taught speech and hearing therapy in the Norwood, Ohio school system.

She fell in love and began dating (future) professional golfer Dow Finsterwald in junior high school. There are family tales about the number of times they broke the "chain" on their sorority and fraternity pins. She married Dow Henry Finsterwald, November 21, 1953 in Dillon, South Carolina. They spent their honeymoon at a golf tournament while her husband was on leave from the Air Force. Her life as a professional golfer's wife, love and chief supporter lay ahead.

After Dow's discharge from the Air Force, the couple took up residence in Athens, OH while Dow was competing on the PGA tour. Their first permanent residence was in Tequesta, FL in 1957 where they resided until 1964. During this time, they had five children, twins John and Jane in 1957, son Dow (Jr) in 1959, son Russell "Ref" in 1960 and a son Michael who died shortly after birth.

In 1965, the Finsterwald family moved to Colorado Springs when Dow became the Director of Golf at the Broadmoor Hotel. While raising her children, she was also a part-time Sales Associate at A Short Story, at the Broadmoor, a volunteer at Penrose Hospital and a volunteer at many of the Broadmoor golf events.

Penrose Hospital successfully treated Linda for two forms of Cancer, esophageal and breast. Her love for her family and support of family and friends helped her defeat this disease.

She is survived by her husband Dow, eldest son, John, his wife Kathy, daughter Jane, son Dow Jr, his wife Toni and son Russell "Ref", his wife Carol and grandchildren Michael, Katie Ann Pudlo, Dow III (Trey), Russell and James, and great grandchildren, Caleb, Connor, Sydnie, Addison and Avery, her sister Mary Pedigo Tintle of Atlanta, GA and preceded in death by her brother Roger Pedigo of Athens, Ohio.

She touched innumerable lives with her strength, joy, sense of humor and love. She will be deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Linda's memory may be made to Women's Cancer Program at the Penrose-St. Francis for Health Foundation, 2222 N. Nevada Avenue, Colorado Springs Colorado 80907.

Memorial Service, 11:00AM, Monday, June 22, 2015 at Cheyenne Mountain Lodge at the Broadmoor, 4199 South Club Drive.

Private burial, West Union Street Cemetery, Athens, Ohio.