Linda M. Pipp

Linda Marie Pipp passed away on March 13, 2026. A proud member of the first graduating class of Wayne State University’s new Physical Therapy program in 1970, she devoted 44 years to her profession. She began in acute care at Providence Hospital, later specializing in women’s health and co-authoring educational materials for fellow therapists. She finished her career caring for the elderly, first at Mercy Bellbrook and then at American House, where she was known for passionately advocating on behalf of her geriatric patients.

Linda had a deep love for all living creatures, including rodents and insects. She carefully caught and released every “houseguest” she found, whether mouse, snake, bat, raccoon, opossum, or bug. For more than twenty years she tended a feral cat colony, trapping, neutering, and releasing thirteen cats, feeding them daily and providing warm shelters she built herself. She gave each cat a name—Midnight, High Noon, Tux, and Skitty.

The Southwest held a special place in her heart. She was drawn to the rocky desert landscapes of Arizona, particularly Scottsdale and Camelback Mountain, and returned to the Valley of the Sun many times for both work and pleasure. She also cherished the sky, loving to fly in jet aircraft and always requesting a window seat. On sunny days she would declare, “It’s a beautiful day to fly!” A longtime stockholder in American Airlines, she eagerly tracked the flights of family and friends and treasured the memory of attending an aviation enthusiasts’ conference in Arizona where she stood on the tarmac among the planes.

A lifelong Catholic, Linda volunteered for numerous charitable causes and was deeply committed to the Pro-Life movement, regularly collecting supplies for pregnant mothers and their babies. She is survived by her husband of 25 years, Victor J. Hufnagel; her children, Tracy, Connie (Jarrod), and Timothy; and her six grandchildren, Fiona, Maggie, Isaac, Lila, Desmond, and Aaron.