Linda Stratton Keene Van Vechten passed away Friday, the 30th of September at Stonebridge Nursing Facility in Austin, Texas. She was born in Norwood, Massachusetts to Charles Fisher Keene and Elizabeth Curtis Gerritson.
She attended Beverly High School where she excelled in math and science. She received a scholarship to attend Harvard University where she earned a Bachelor's in Bio-Chemistry and later Tufts University where she earned a Masters in Science. She lived in Massachusetts, Maryland, and was a long time resident of Vermont before moving to Austin, Texas.
She worked as a chemist for the State of Vermont for twenty years. During that time she received an award for technical achievement for developing a method of analysis of air quality for the State of Vermont.
She was married to Gunther M. Gottfeld and later George Van Vechten.
Her great loves were sailing, singing, wildflowers, camping, cats, collecting rocks, scary stories, self-care, her wide circle of friends and spending time with her grandchildren.

When asked what her greatest achievement in her life; her answer was simple: Raising her two children Debbie and David and how well they turned out.
She is survived by her children, Deborah C. Alexander and David W. Gottfeld, her grandchildren – Connor Gottfeld (13), Evan Alexander (10), Jacob Gottfeld (9), Julia Alexander (9) and Alexa Gottfeld (3), her sister Martha McGinley and nieces Kimber Sprankle and Corey Ducharme and their children (Leo, Ben, Kate, Julie).
A memorial will be held at Remembrance Gardens in Austin, TX on Monday, October 31st at 11 am.
For those desiring to make a memorial contribution in lieu of flowers, please donate to "Kids Out and About, LLC" or "Autism Speaks" in honor of her grandson Evan. All proceeds go to research and helping families affected by autism.