VASSALBORO – Linda M. (Rice) Cunningham, 79, of Vassalboro, died Tuesday, June 11th, 2024, at Maine General Rehab & LTC at Glenridge. Born in Columbus, OH, on July 16, 1944, the daughter of Lauriston and Mildred (Willis) Rice. Linda, lovingly known as Lin, Ma or Nana, was the glue for all of her family and friends. On any given day, you could find Linda out in her flower and vegetable gardens, at her kitchen table with a cup of coffee or playing a game of cards. She looked forward to hunting season every year, cooking in her kitchen waiting for her family and friends to pop in for some food and warmth. These were times Linda cherished and she welcomed any and all into her home. She loved hosting for the holidays, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. Linda had a special connection with animals and had several German shepherds over the years along with many cats that she loved fiercely and who loved her right back. Her favorite life lesson to share was "you can never have too many cats or too many babies". There was nothing more that she cherished than to have her house filled with everyone she loved. Linda was predeceased by her parents, her longtime partner, Carroll Waldron as well as her nephew Thomas Picher. Linda will be lovingly remembered by her brother Perley (Wanda) Rice and sister Gail (Robert) Picher, her children Julia Browne of Vassalboro, Timothy (Jennifer) Cunningham of Winthrop, Darrin (Deborah) Cunningham of Augusta and Mathew (Angela) Cunningham of China. Her grandchildren Jessica (Kabary) Gogan, Daniel Browne, Karrisa Browne, Kyle Cunningham (Hayley), Stephanie Cunningham, Tyler Cunningham and Allyson Cunningham, as well as 7 great grandchildren. Also, her very dear friend Becky Casey. Linda's graveside service will be held on her birthday, Tuesday, July 16th, at 11:00 am, at the North Vassalboro Village Cemetery, Cemetery Street, North Vassalboro, Maine. Arrangements and guidance are entrusted with Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, Maine. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website, www.staplesfuneralhome.com