Linda Heath

LINDA AMREIN HEATH
June 7, 1943 – June 29, 2025

Linda Amrein Heath, a registered nurse who devoted over 60 years of her life to patient care, passed away peacefully on June 29th with family at her side. The Alpharetta, Ga. resident was 82-years-old.

Born and raised in a small, tight-knit farming community in Fallston, Maryland, Linda was the daughter of Mervin W. Amrein and Louise (Iley) Amrein, proprietors of a general store located in the heart of Fallston adjacent to the Ma & Pa Railroad Station. She and her brothers, Jerry and Tom, lived with their parents on the upper floor and behind the store. In 1963 it was sold. The family subsequently moved to Joppa and established a wholesale produce business, Amrein Foods, that flourished over the years.

Linda attended Youth’s Benefit School and subsequently Bel Air High School where she was captain of the cheerleading squad and voted on to the Autumn and Prom Courts. After completing an associate’s degree at the Community College of Baltimore she earned her nursing degree from The Church Home and Hospital/Johns Hopkins University. Her initial nursing job took her to Harford Memorial Hospital in Havre de Grace, Md. where she met her future husband, John (Jack) Heath of Aberdeen. The couple was happily married for 61 years.

“A friend and I were hit head-on by a wrong way driver on our way home from work early one morning and ended up in the hospital,” Jack recalls. “While we were rehabbing my friend was constantly chatting with this nurse. He ultimately asked her out. She agreed but only on a double-date. The date she brought for me was Linda. The rest is history.”

For 18 years Linda worked in hospital emergency rooms, and later as an office nurse for various surgeons and doctors in Illinois, Maryland, South Carolina, Missouri, Connecticut and Georgia as the couple moved about before finally settling in Alpharetta.

“Linda followed me on the moves we had to make,” said Jack, who was then employed as a corporate manager. “Wherever we landed she found work in a hospital or a doctor’s office. Her expertise was in patient and emergency care. She truly loved her profession.”

Both had a passion for travel as they made numerous journeys overseas. Linda especially enjoyed the trips to Central Europe and the United Kingdom where she was fascinated by the various customs and relished interactions with the local people.

Linda also enjoyed the time spent on their 40’ Mainship Trawler. Early on they cruised along the Narragansett and eventually brought the boat down the East Coast and Intercoastal through Savannah as part of moving the boat to Lake Hartwell where they continued to enjoy spending time on the lake for many years.

A devout Christian, Linda remained active in her faith including the last 25 years as a member of Cumming First United Methodist Church, during which time she completed the Walk to Emmaus, deepening and enriching that faith. She also fulfilled an advanced four-year bible study.

Linda is survived by her husband Jack; their son, John Heath, Jr. of Cumming, Ga.; brothers Jerry (Kathy) Amrein of Stewartstown, Pa. and Tom (Lynn) Amrein of Perryville, Md.;

granddaughters Bridget Heath (Justin) Miller and family of Alpharetta and Rachel (Mark) Andrews and family of Shellman, Ga., in addition to numerous nieces and nephews.

Two services are planned. The family will receive friends and well-wishers on Wednesday, July 16th at McDonald and Sons Funeral Home, 150 Swanee Drive, Cumming, Ga. from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. with a service at 6:15 p.m. On Friday, July 18th there will be a visitation from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the mausoleum followed by a 3:00 p.m. service and interment at Bel Air Memorial Gardens, 809 Rock Spring Road, Bel Air, Md. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Linda’s memory to the Shriners Children’s Hospital, https://lovetotherescue.org/.