Linda Giesbrecht-Bettoli

Linda W. Giesbrecht-Bettoli, age 63 of Cookeville, passed away Thursday morning May 22, 2014 at her home. She was born May 14, 1951 in Winnipeg, Manitoba to the late Henry and Augusta Toline Pappel Giesbrecht. She emigrated to the U. S. in the early 1970s to complete her doctoral studies in social psychology at Florida State University. She eventually applied for and was granted U.S. citizenship. Her first job was her last; she retired from Tennessee Tech University in 2011 after 34 years as a professor in the Department of Counseling and Psychology. She was widely respected and loved for her dedication to her students, who invariably called her Dr. GB. Her great passions after caring for her family were: traveling, cooking, and practicing the fine art of entertaining. She is survived by her husband of 34 years, Phillip W. Bettoli, PhD. (whom she married March 15, 1980 in Cookeville); her beloved sister, Verna Grace Leger of Ontario Canada; nephews, Zachary (Tonya) Leger and Lucas (Tiffany) Leger; and a great-niece, Emerson Jane Leger, who came into this world on the same day of Linda's passing; and of course, Bella and Jackie, her constant feline companions. A private memorial service is planned.