Linda Rackliff

YARMOUTH — Linda Rackliff, 74, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018, at Brentwood Nursing Center in Yarmouth after a long period of declining health.

She was born in Portland, the second child of the late Marine Gunnery Sgt. Anthony “Tony” Geishauser Sr. and Erdine “Deanie” Rounds Geishauser Thurber Berenson.

Linda was only months old when she became so seriously ill that her father was called home from the war and she was given the last rites. After she pulled through, her father returned to the war and was killed in action on Iwo Jima, when Linda was eight months old.

Her life continued as a series of challenges. As a teenager, she spent time in a therapeutic residential home for troubled youth. That experience may have been more harmful than beneficial. She left Maine in her late teens and struggled for years as a single mother. She returned to Maine and married Robert Rackliff in 1967. They had two more children and remained married until his death in 2008.

She spent most of her life as a homemaker, with short periods of outside employment, being proudest of her time as a CNA. She would share stories (and advice) from that time with the nurses and CNAs at Brentwood. But mental health and physical challenges prevented her from reaching her full potential.

Linda was intelligent, artistic and often very funny. She had a quick wit, a wicked wry sense of humor and a hearty laugh. She loved gardening, especially her rock garden. She also clipped interesting articles from the newspaper that she kept in a scrapbook. During her later years in the nursing home, she loved playing bingo, adult coloring, watching horror movies and reading Stephen King novels. She loved getting take-out food. Her family had Chinese food delivered weekly. In addition to the dinner, she appreciated the kind and friendly woman, who delivered the meals from Little China Express in Yarmouth. She ordered out pizza when she could, always offering to share it with her roommate and others.

In addition to her parents and husband, Linda was predeceased by her stepfather, Edward Berenson.

She is survived by her three children, Lynn Rackliff of Sanford, Samantha Rackliff of Biddeford and Jared Rackliff of Casco; three brothers and three sisters, Anthony “Tony” Geishauser Jr. of Bryan, Texas, Daniel Thurber of Falmouth, Gary Berenson of Cape Elizabeth, Gail Berenson of Portland, Lisa Johnstone of Safety Harbor, Fla. and Lori Polito of Port Orange, Fla.; two grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

To share a memory or condolence, please visit www.coastalcremationservices.com