Linda Harding Blush, 76, passed away June 22nd after eight weeks of hospitalization and home health care. Linda was born at St. Petersburg’s Mound Park Hospital where she returned after earning her degree as a Registered Nurse. Linda worked as an RN for 35 years at what is now Bayfront Medical Center, 30 of those years in the Operating Room, 5 of them in Labor and Delivery. It was in the operating room where Linda met Ray Blush. After dating for two years, they married in 1966 and celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary in May. In 1969, Linda and Ray had their first child, daughter Sharon. Two years later, son Dan was born. Over the years, the family enjoyed boating, camping, boy scouts, girl scouts and little league baseball together. Sharon and Dan both graduated from the University of Florida as proud Gators! The Blushes were local sports fans as well. Linda and Ray were charter season ticket holders for the Tampa Bay Bandits and the former Tampa Bay Devil Rays, now the Tampa Bay Rays. In 1998, Linda and Ray decided to soon retire and explore the USA. They purchased their first motor home and slowly began a transition from a life of boating and living on the waters of Boca Ciega Bay to a life of traveling over land with solid ground beneath their feet. For many years, Linda loved talking about how the couple had cruised to Alaska on three occasions, traveled there in their motor home once, and explored 49 of our country’s 50 states. In 2006, Linda and Ray moved from St. Petersburg to Pasco County. Linda often related how she no longer arrived home to see dolphin frolicking behind their South Causeway Isles home in St. Petersburg, but instead saw cattle grazing in neighborhood pastures near their Longleaf home. Linda is survived by her husband Ray; son Gallo Wine executive Dan Blush of Ft. Mill, South Carolina, his wife Sally and two sons, Logan and Tyler; daughter Sharon Hernandez, a children’s hospital emergency room doctor in Broward County, Florida, her husband Orlando and daughter Allison. Linda has had thousands of smiles because of her wonderful grandchildren Logan, Tyler and Allison. Linda is also survived by two sisters, Patricia Harding and Donna Grafe, and one brother, James Harding. Linda was predeceased by her father Ehrman Harding, her mother Elizabeth Kirkland Harding, and her sister Daniese Harding. Condolences can be made at www.michels-lundquist.com. Please wear comfortable casual summer clothing due to the high heat temperatures that we are experiencing.
“The family asks that you please do not send flowers because of Bay Pines National Cemetery limitations, but consider a contribution to the charity of your choice”. Thank you.
May 31, 2015
December 1, 2019
January 1, 2020
January 26, 2020
Michels & Lundquist Funeral Home
5228 Trouble Creek Road
New Port Richey, FL 34652
Tim Wagner posted on 7/1/20
Ray: My prayers are with you and your family for peace and love. What lovely travel memories you had and hope you'll continue to get out and around. Blessings, Tim