from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Linda Jean Nelson died Jan. 17, 2015, after a hard-fought battle with cancer, having been diagnosed in 2009.

She first became a member of the harness community when married to Byron Smith, later to return when her son Randy became involved with horses. She continued to enjoy keeping track of the accomplishments of the horses in the stable, even when she was no longer able to care for them.

Of all her horses, A.Superstar was her favorite. Linda trained, drove and rode the trotter to a Scarborough Down track record under saddle in the late 1970s.

She took pride in her son and grandchildren, Kristina, Amelia and Madisyn. She will be greatly missed by her family.

She is survived by her son, Randy (Jessica) Smith; granddaughters, Kristina Smith, Amelia Smith and Madisyn Smith; sisters, Robin (John) Leavitt, Terese and Beth Hackenson; brother, Dennis (Nancy); and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Walter; mother, Thelma (Barry); and sister, Kris Page.