LINDA J. AMATA, 1939-2010: Ex-Luna Pier official traveled U.S. for career

8/12/2010
BY MARK ZABORNEY
BLADE STAFF WRITER

TEMPERANCE - Linda J. Amata, a former official of her childhood hometown, Luna Pier, who had a long career with a government contractor, died Tuesday in Mercy St. Anne's Hospital, Toledo. She was 71.

The cause of death was not known. She was a breast cancer survivor and, about a month ago, learned she had another type of cancer, daughter Lori Smith said.

She moved back to southeast Michigan nearly two years ago after more than 30 years in Utah, Florida, and other places she was assigned by Bechtel. She was a Bechtel document control supervisor.

"She was very organized," her daughter said.

She was dealing with sensitive blueprints and papers. The firm's specialties include defense facilities and nuclear plants.

"We never talked about her work," her daughter said.

Her moves for work, though, meant "she had friends all over the United States," her daughter said.

Earlier, she was a secretary at E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. and an executive secretary for Thomas DeVilbiss II at DeVilbiss Co., both in Toledo.

She became treasurer of Luna Pier. Later she ran, unsuccessfully, against Clyde Evans, the city's first mayor, who served from 1963-83.

"She just wanted to do good things for the city," said Carol Dantzer, a longtime friend.

She was born Jan. 28, 1939, to Mary Jane and George Van Cise. Her father co-owned a Luna Pier hardware store with Mr. Evans.

She was a graduate of Monroe High School and attended college for a year.

At times, she was a single working mother, raising three daughters - "a mommy and dad," daughter Lori said. Low-cost recipes stretched the food budget, and the children pitched in with the chores.

"She did everything she could for us kids," Lori said.

Since her return, Mrs. Amata drove a loud red Mustang and regularly cooked her signature mos-

taccioli and meatballs for her friends and her daughters' friends.

"She was always for excitement," daughter Lori said. "She wanted to stay young. She loved to entertain, and she loved to dance."

She was formerly married to the late Bernard Germano. Husbands Lee Kemritz and Vincent Amata preceded her in death.

Surviving are her daughters, Lori Smith, Terri Holly, and Juli Germano, brother, Dan Van Cise, and five grandchildren.

The body will be in the Bedford Funeral Chapel, Temperance, after 2 p.m. Friday. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Temperance, where the body will be after 10 a.m. The family suggests tributes to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Contact Mark Zaborney at:

mzaborney@theblade.com

or 419-724-6182.