Below is an account from one of our sisters, Susan (Aaron) Ostrinsky.

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My name is Susan (Aaron) Ostrinsky and I pledge as a Beta in the Fall of 1983. I met Linda in the Fall of 1984 when she pledged as part of the Delta pledge class. I had pledged just one year before many of the Alphas were still in school and it was a very cool time. I didn’t know her as closely as some of the other sisters did – but I remember she was a beautiful girl with gorgeous friendly eyes. And a lot of fun at parties. I remember that pledge class being a lot of fun. I remember parties in Shook’s basement in Arbutus when Greeks used to be able to sponsor them. Fuzzy memories but memories nonetheless.

I remember being afraid to go visit Linda in the hospital. Not because I didn’t want to - but because stepping foot inside another hospital made me sick to my stomach. But I had to go and show Linda my support and I was glad I did.

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She made it so easy. I remember her sitting in bed with very large 80’s glasses on her small face and a baseball cap. She was queen of the room – cracking jokes and yes, talking about the cuties at the hospital.

 

I think I got to know Linda the best when she came back to school. I used to cut through buildings and take the elevators to get to the Fine Arts building and I’d run into Linda and her mom – her constant companion. Linda was thin and frail and had no hair – but here she was – going to class in her jeans jacket and baseball cap. We’d chat for a few minutes and I’d tell her to have a good day. The memory that sticks out in my head the most was one day when I came upon her sitting all alone. She was very upset and crying. I asked her what was wrong, expecting her to say something about how hard everything was – but not Linda - she was upset because she had gotten a bad grade on a test. I remember sitting down and putting my arm around her and just holding her. She put her head on my shoulder and kept crying. I think I said something silly like, "but you’re here and you’re going to class – that’s more important" but I don’t think she bought it. Linda wanted to graduate with good grades.

 

Like other sisters have said, I remember being at the funeral and I remember that EVERYONE was there. It was heartbreaking but I think us being there helped her mother and her family. And it helped us because we had each other to lean on, to cry on. My DPhiE sisters are my most cherished friends…23 years and counting. Thank g-d for e-mail because we don’t see each other all the time, we don’t talk to each other all the time – but the feelings, and memories are there ALL THE TIME for me. I cherish the moments when the stars line up and we can actually get together in person. Linda was a part of that – although for much too short a time. So, even though I was not the closest to her – I have never forgotten her and the heart-print she left in my life. That’s why I feel it’s so important to keep the scholarship going as a tribute to her determination, courage, and grace.