6/11/1943 – 2/28/2025
Lawrence
Linda Ellen Lester, 81, of Lawrence, died Friday, February 28, 2025, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. At her request, no public service is planned.
Linda was born on June 11, 1943, in Wichita, KS, to Hiram B. McGee and Mary Ann (Hodges) McGee. She was raised by her aunt and uncle, Ellen and James “Ed” Gregg, from the age of 11. She married Robert M. Lester and graduated from Wichita High School West. They had three children in Wichita and Houston, then moved to Cut-n-Shoot, TX, finally settling in Lawrence in 1978.
Linda and her friend, Linda Chaffin, started The Etc. Shop in 1981 in a 150 square foot building at 14 W. 9th Street. After Chaffin left the business, Linda moved the store to 732 Mass, doubled its size, and then moved to 928 Mass, a three-story building she purchased in 1991. She admired Ruby Mallot, the matriarch of Mallot Hardware, who was instrumental in making downtown what it is today. Linda was dedicated to the Lawrence Downtown Association, and in Ruby’s spirit, advocated for women entrepreneurs.
Although the shop was best known as a hub for Brighton accessories, her lifelong passion was finding, buying, selling, and trading jewelry, antiques, and Christmas paraphernalia, including on Ebay in her later years. She was also devoted to her dogs, who often traveled to the store with her, particularly Max, who became a mascot for the shop.
After Robert retired as an electrician, he worked with her for almost 40 years. Linda loved her employees and customers, and often made suggestions about gifts for their family and friends, who also frequented the shop. After 42 years in business, The Etc. Shop closed in Fall 2023.
She is survived by Robert M. Lester of Lawrence, her children Cyndy E. Lester (Kenn Peters) of Lawrence and Center, CO, and Hugh D. Lester (Ellyn) of Jersey Shore, PA, as well as her sibling, Donald R. McGee of Wichita, KS, and her grandchildren Seth, Kaitlyn, Erin, Dylan, Hayden, and Jake (Kimberli), as well as great-grandchild Walker.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved aunt and uncle, her mother-in-law Betty and father-in-law Mac Lester, four siblings, Della, Joyce, Henry and Bill, her son Eugene E. Lester, and his former spouse Shelly Borland, who was devoted to Robert and Linda in the last years of her life.
The family is very grateful for the comprehensive care provided by her medical team, led by Sharon Soule, MD, over the years, and to the exceptional team at LMH, including Elara Caring hospice, since she was admitted on Tuesday. Linda may have succumbed to cancer, but she stayed true to herself to the very end.
A fitting and lasting tribute to her life and legacy will follow in due time.
Online condolences made at rumsey-yost.com
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