Linda Carol Payne

Linda Carol Payne, 66, wife, mother, grandmother and dear friend to all, passed away at her home in Fallbrook on July 12, 2016. Lin grew up in Buffalo, where she earned a degree in English at the State University of New York at Buffalo. She continued her education at Canisius College and then obtained her Jurist Doctorate at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where she raised her two boys, Sean and Matthew.

Lin was known for many things – her way with words, her generosity, and her passion for the arts, to name only a few. She made countless friends during her world travels over the years, maintaining close relationships with nearly all of them.

She had a love of life’s finest things, ranging from Aboriginal artwork to dry martinis. She could find beauty in nearly anything. “Isn’t this fabulous” was an expression that rang throughout any of Lin’s life experiences. She was renowned as an accomplished negotiator and mentor and succeeded in whatever she attempted, whether it was starting an import business, playing recreational league soccer, building custom homes, setting up households in foreign countries, or serving as a mentor for at-risk youth.

Lin is survived by her husband Thomas Payne; her first husband Michael Gaffney; her two sons, Sean and Matthew; her daughters-in-law Stephanie and Kelly; her grandchildren, Nicholas, Lillian, and Quinn, and her six siblings, Ronald, Patricia, John, Thomas, Donald and Theresa. She joins her sister Joan, mother Carol, father Edwin, and mother-in-law Audrey in a better place, but will remain a daily presence in our lives forever.

A memorial celebration of Lin’s life was held Sunday, July 17, for friends and family and a private mass will be held in Buffalo.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the American Association of University Women at http://www.aauwfallbrookca.org.

Lin volunteered as a mentor in the program and education for young women held a special place in her heart.