Linda Dunn Davis

Linda Dunn Davis, 72, of Indianapolis, passed away at home on Thursday, October 13, 2022.  She was born on February 18, 1950 to the late Clyde Louis and Alma Fern ‘Babe’ (Settle) Dunn.  Linda was a 1967 graduate of Manual High School, she later earned her BA in French, with a minor in Theater from Indiana University (1971).  Linda chose to further her education by earning a Master of Arts in French from the University of Illinois (1976) and later took night classes as a working single mother to obtain her administration license from Butler University.

While at Manual High School Linda was involved in many extra curricular activities including National Honors Society, Band, Glee Club, Theater, and found what became a lifelong passion in The IU Honors Program in Foreign Language. During her initial trip as a student in the IU Honors program she was hosted by a family that Linda would come to call her ‘French family’, the DuBois in St. Brieuc, France. This meaningful time would blossom into a life centered around the community she found there. She would return to St. Brieuc countless times– first in her role as the Director of the IU Honors Program with annual visits, then in her relocation and employment in the local high school as well as multiple trips to visit her large group of friends including the DuBois, Raults, and Audrains, often acting as an unofficial guide for any friends or family visiting France.

Linda also found time to be active in many local theater companies and reprised her titular role in the off-Broadway production of Abie’s Irish Rose, one of her proudest accomplishments and fondest memories.

While stateside, Linda built a peerless career in IPS, teaching both English and French throughout IPS high schools and becoming the Foreign Language department head at Arlington High School before leaving to live in France with her son, Marshall. Upon her return to IPS, Linda started an administrative career as the Dean of Broad Ripple HS, then transitioned to become the principal at Shortridge Middle School before her career culminated as the first and only female principal of Broad Ripple Magnet High School for the Arts & Humanities.

After her retirement from IPS, Linda indulged a lifelong fascination with cash registers by first volunteering, and then working at Conner Prairie for over 10 years. Intertwined with her career and volunteerism, Linda valued the many lifelong friendships she formed with those that were initially co-workers and former students. Her love, interest, and support extended those relationships into traveling partners, friends, and mentees.  It was that community who provided immense, unparalleled emotional support during her prolonged battle with pulmonary fibrosis– providing daily phone calls, visits, meals, and countless laughs until the very end.

Linda’s extroverted personality, huge smile, and seemingly endless supply of jewelry and decorations for even the slightest occasion were unmatched. Her reading prowess, especially in murder mysteries, and love of systematic organization can be summized by the fact that she at one point had a library for friends in her basement, complete with check out cards. Whatever Linda did, she wanted to compete and keep score in. That fiery red headed nature mixed with her huge compassionate heart is what those close to her will miss the most.

Linda was a devoted mother to Marshall Davis and his significant other, Cameron Gillaspie and a loving ‘LaLa’ to her 2 grandchildren, Clyde and Cecilia Davis.  She is also survived by her sisters, Sandy Dunn (Tony) Krebs and Jacki Dunn (William ‘Butch’) Fikes along with their families– without whose support Linda could not have spent her last days at home, entertained by her huge support network of family and friends as she wished.  Linda also touched the lives of countless students and co-workers during her long career; and maintained a relationship with former spouse, John Marshall Davis and his daughter, Mollie Folk.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 29, 2022 at Flanner Buchanan – Broad Ripple from 10-11am with a funeral service immediately following.  In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are encouraged to IU Honors Program in Foreign Languages (https://give.myiu.org/university-initiatives/I320002011.html).