Linda Alden Brinkley, 86, of St. Peters, Missouri, formerly of East Alton, Illinois, passed away with her daughters at her side on July 23, 2026, at Evelyn’s House Hospice in Creve Coeur, Missouri, after a brief illness. She spent her finals days surrounded by her family.

Born Linda Lee Alden on February 15, 1940, in Anna, Illinois, she was the only child of Blair Alden and Arrah Ann (Vinson) Alden.

Linda attended Mt. Vernon High School for 3 years and then graduated from Olney High School in 1958. Following high school, she attended Southern Illinois University at Carbondale studying product shelter design. She was a talented artist and designer and received many compliments on her work during her time at SIUC.

In the summer of 1960, Linda was working at her family’s Dairy Queen in Marion, Illinois, which her parents operated, when a young man building Interstate 57 stopped in for lunch. That young man was Samuel George Brinkley, and on December 24, 1960, in Marion, the two were married. Their marriage would last more than 65 years.

While Sam attended chiropractic college from 1965 to 1968, Linda helped support the young family – babysitting, ironing clothes for neighbors, and taking on odd jobs – all while raising the first two of their three children. For many years, Linda was office manager at Rosewood Chiropractic Clinic, contributing greatly to the success of her husband’s practice.

Linda and Sam made their home in Rosewood Heights, Illinois and the surrounding area for more than 40 years. Linda warmly welcomed many family and friends to their home, always remembering to have each visitor’s favorite treats on hand.

Linda was, above all, a devoted mother and homemaker. She ensured that her children experienced many activities, such as dancing and piano lessons (whether they wanted to or not), choir, sports, classes at the science center, and the opportunity to travel.

Linda had a lifelong love of stamp collecting and was a formidable card and board game player, rarely met by an opponent who could best her. She was also an amazing jigsaw puzzler! She especially loved the 1000 piece puzzles and completed many of them in just a day or two.

She is survived by her husband of more than 65 years, Samuel George Brinkley; her three children, Rebecca Hegger (John) of Kirkwood, Missouri; Tim Brinkley (Marissa) of Chicago, Illinois; and Georgiana Kriss (Scott) of Sacramento, California; and five grandchildren: John, Aldi, Lily, Luke and Ansley.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Blair and Ann Alden.

A private memorial service and celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Linda’s memory to Evelyn’s House hospice in Creve Coeur, MO. https://www.foundationbarnesjewish.org/Give-Evelyns-House