Cancer. The word causes anyone to stop and get angry or sad, sometimes both. Cancer seems to take the best people, the strongest people, the bravest and the happiest. I grew up in a suburb of Detroit and Country Music was always something my mom would play in the car, I knew the classics of George Strait, the familiar voices of Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney, Reba and the country music nation. Another voice I grew to become familiar with was Linda Lee from 99.5. Every afternoon I would hear her and instantly smile, it was as if she had a charisma about her anyone could sense through the radio. She had a passion for country music, a passion for Detroit and a passion for giving back especially through the St. Jude radio- thon. Only a short few weeks ago cancer took Linda and made her an angel in Heaven.
I took a radio broadcasting class when I was in high school and one of the final assignments was contacting a radio announcer and finding out how they came about in their career, I knew instantly I wanted to contact Linda Lee. I emailed her and she responded and helped me cover all the topics in my class. I learned so much through her, I learned she was a graduate from Specs Howard and had been in the radio business a while. I was able to meet her shortly after at the George Strait concert on Valentines day in 2014. I noticed right away she treated everyone as they were an old friend, she never once let her gorgeous appearance make her seem anything but fun loving and down to earth.
When I heard she was diagnosed with cancer I thought "She's Linda Lee, fearless and strong she will make it through." She shared her personal journey and battles along the way of her sickness, always remaining positive and hopeful for whatever treatment the doctors suggested. Not once did she feel sorry for herself, not once did she ask "why me?" she continued being the humble woman she was. Finding out of her passing was difficult on her co workers, Detroit, country music nation as we are all like a family and especially her family. She was expected to accept the award as top major Market Personality and passed before she was able to accept the honor.
My heart and prayers continue to stay with 99.5, her family, and the country music family. May she rest in peace as I am certain her memory will always live on.
