Captain Linda Mary Lagasse Garrett

Austin — Captain Linda Mary Lagasse Garrett passed away at her home surrounded by her beloved family on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. She was born in New Bedford, MA, on July 21, 1942, to Frederick Joseph Lasgasse and Lovina Stetson Lagasse, and has a proud older brother, Peter Lagasse. Linda cherished her family history - her ancestors were one of the original eight families inhabiting Cuttyhunk Island. Her father was a Lt. Col. in the US Army and the family moved frequently as his military career took them around the world. During her formative years, LInda attended 12 schools in 3 different countries, graduating from High School in Colorado Springs in 1960.

Linda attended Penrose Hospital School of Nursing in Colorado Springs, receiving her R.N. in 1963. Before enlisting in the US Air Force, she worked as a nurse at Penrose Hospital and Providence Hospital in El Paso, TX. During her 5 years in the US Air Force she was stationed at Ft. Rucker Army Base, Minot Air Force Base, Clark Air Base in the Philippines (during the Vietnam War), and Luke Air Base, AZ. She served as an operating room nurse and trained as a flight nurse. While at Clark she was promoted to the rank of Captain. She was proud of her military ser- vice, and especially enjoyed the Veteran’s Day celebration at her granddaughter’s middle school last November.

In 1975, Linda received her B.S. in Elementary Education from Grand Canyon College, Phoenix, AZ, attending graduation as a very pregnant mother-to-be. Over her lifetime she worked as a nurse in Phoenix, Las Vegas, El Paso, Corpus Christi, and San Antonio. In 1995 she moved to Gonzales, TX, and until her retirement in 2017, worked for Gonzales Memorial Hospital Home Health, Yoakum Hospital Home Health, and Cuero Hospital Outpatient Surgery. She loved being a nurse, and especially en- joyed working with her home health patients and families, and remembered them fondly after her retirement.

In 1999, Linda married E.F. “Pat” Garrett. Together they especially enjoyed their Dachshund dogs over the years and attending “Weiner Dog” races, and taking road trips to the coast. She enjoyed singing in the choir at First Baptist Church in Gonzales, and was a dedicated Life Master bridge player. She was a fun “Nanny” to her three grandchildren, and loved it when they came to stay overnight with her, watching movies and eating ice cream in bed. Linda was an avid reader of mysteries; and during the pandemic became obsessed with completing jigsaw puzzles.

She was a member of Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church, Austin, and appreciated the Zoom Bible studies during the pandemic.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband Pat Garrett, in 2017. She is survived by her daughter Betsy Shelton and husband Todd, of Austin, and three grandchildren:

Davonna Grubbs (and companion Jorge Castillo), Julian Shelton, and Alice Shelton; brother Peter Lagasse (LTC, US Army, Ret) and family; extended family B.J. Craft and Cheryl Homsher, Stepson Scott Garrett and family, and long-time caregiver Crystol Tijerina.

A funeral service will be held at Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church on Saturday, June 22, at 10:00 am. Interment will be a Ft. Bliss National Cemetery, El Paso, TX, on Thursday, June 27, at 1:00pm.

The family suggests memorial donations to Mobile Loaves & Fishes, mlf.org/honor-memorial.