NAPLES – Linda G. Capano, wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away Saturday, Oct. 22, at her home in Naples, surrounded by her family, after a courageous battle with cancer.

She was born Linda Ann Gould on March 13, 1948, in Summit, N.J., the daughter of Mary Elaine (Jones) Gould and Julius A. Gould. Linda and family moved to Auburn at the age of 13. She graduated from Edward Little High School in 1966, prior to attending Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, Va., where she received her B.S. degree in sociology in 1970.

Linda married best friend and high school sweetheart, Daniel Joseph Capano, on July 13, 1971, in Wyoming. She gave birth to five children: Stephanie, Christen, Michael, Andrea and Matthew. The “Capano Clan,” as they were called, were known by many in the Lakes Region area, where they attended local schools.

Linda had many hobbies over the years including knitting, sewing, baking, reading and most recently scrapbooking and stamping. She was known for her good cooking, holiday decorations, canning of jellies, jams, pickles, relish and sauce. During the Christmas season, she enjoyed creating beautiful balsam wreaths and knitting sweaters for family and friends.

During the summer months, if she wasn’t working, you could find her at her favorite spot – away from the crowds at Reid State Park. She enjoyed watching the kids make sand castles as Dan fished from the shore. She loved the ocean.

Linda took great pride in her career as a social worker. Since 1978, she has been employed by the State of Maine, Department of Health and Human Services, Behavioral and Developmental Services. Since 1985, she enjoyed her role as regional supervisor for BDS Region II in Lewiston.

During the past 20 years, Linda’s co-workers celebrated her achievements in both her personal and professional life. In December of 2004, she was awarded the William Twarog Manager of the Year Award for her accomplishments and dedication to her co-workers and adults with special needs.

Her courage and perseverance over the past six years have been an inspiration to all those who have come to know her. After being diagnosed in 2000, her fear was not to see her grandchildren born. Thankfully, she survived long enough to see six grandchildren born in the past five years.

Linda was a one-in-a-million individual. She was full of life, and was caring and compassionate in all she did. She was the best wife, mother, sister and friend anyone could ask for. She took great pride in raising her five children to be the wonderful adults they have grown to become. Her grandchildren gave her many moments of laughter and joy. They have been a blessing to her during the intensive cancer treatments, and a wonderful distraction on her not-so-good chemotherapy days. It gave her great pleasure to spoil them with hugs, kisses, love and attention.

She is survived by her husband, Daniel J. Capano, of Naples; three daughters, Stephanie Hatcher of Biddeford, Christen Faulkner of Bangor, and Andrea Capano of Harrison; two sons, Michael Capano of Porter, and Matthew Capano of Naples; two sisters, Kimberly Delaney of Dallas, Texas, and Jennifer Annetti of Beverly Farms, Mass.; two brothers, Julius S. Gould of Fort Collins, Colo., and Christopher Gould of Cheyenne, Wyo.; six grandchildren, Brandon and Hailey Capano, Daniel Luke Capano, J.D. and Jessica Hatcher, and Adrianna Faulkner; and nieces, nephews, sons- and daughters-in-law and many friends.

She was predeceased by her parents.

She will be missed tremendously. Those who knew her will always have stories to tell and pleasant memories to share of a woman who touched their hearts and souls in so many ways. Linda was a special person that no one could forget.