Linda E. McCafferty of Avon died Jan. 26. She was 71.

Born July 5, 1940, in York, Pa., she was a daughter of the late John and Evelyn (LaBar) Stewart. She married Thomas W. McCafferty on June 29, 1963, and he survives.

Mrs. McCafferty moved to Indiana in 1952, graduated from Marion High School in ‘58, Cottey College in ‘60, and Ball State University in ‘62, along with post graduate work in landscape architecture.

She taught junior high and high school English and social studies at Montpelier in 1962-63. After moving to Brownsburg, she taught in Indianapolis at North West High School in 1963-64 and at Junior High No. 108 from 1964 to ‘66. She took some time off to care for her children and then worked 25 years as a substitute teacher at schools in Brownsburg, Avon, Wayne Township, and Indianapolis.

Following retirement, her ongoing mission became the education of gardeners. She was an active member of Avon United Methodist Church, where she was both gardener and flower arranger. Her love of gardening and flowers provided more than 40 years of active memberships in The Garden Club of Indiana and the State Board; Hendricks County and Plainfield Garden Clubs; Indiana Landscape Design Consultants Council; Gardening Consultants Council; Indianapolis Hosta Society; and Indiana Association of Accredited Flower Show Judges. She held many offices and chairmanships over the years and won many awards, certificates, and commendations on the local, state, regional, and national levels.

She was also a member of the Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society; Nature Conservancy; International Chapter P.E.O. Sisterhood; Indianapolis Jazz Club; and a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts of America. She spent many years as a troop leader for Blue Birds, Brownies, and Girl Scouts.

Mrs. McCafferty enjoyed coordinating plantings for the Habitat for Humanity and the parks throughout Hendricks County. She was a consultant in the early planning stages of White River Gardens and

was a charter member of both the White River Gardens and the Indianapolis Zoo. She received the National Garden Club’s All Around Excellence Award in 2009 and the May Duff Walters Achievement Award for designing and implementing the courtyard prayer garden at the Avon United Methodist Church. She was also the 2011 recipient of the Honeywell Award for Horticulture Excellence, which is the Garden Club of Indiana’s highest award for excellence in horticulture.

Additional survivors include a daughter, Lora McCafferty of Brownsburg; a granddaughter, Amber Smith of Brownsburg; a brother, Kenneth Stewart of Lancaster, Pa.; an uncle, William Stewart of Beaverton, Ore.; and in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Preceding her in death were brothers Bruce and Glenn Stewart and in-laws Dorothy and Donald McCafferty.

Services are 6 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Avon United Methodist Church.

Calling at the church is for three hours prior to the service.

Memorials may be made to the Avon United Methodist Church, 6850 E. U.S. 36, Avon, IN 46123 or to Cottey College/International Chapter P.E.O. Sisterhood (donation forms are available online at

www.peointernational.org/cottey-college.)

Online condolences may be made at www.conklefuneralhome.com.