Linda Hawkins, a former (and well-loved) president of the Southern California Relocation Council, passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 8, 2010, at her home. She was 65. Linda was in great health and had just recently recovered fully from a knee replacement surgery. For those of us who saw her at the ERC in Seattle (Nov. 2010), she was healthy, happy, and practically trotting those aisles of the Exhibit Hall.
 
In addition to being the president of Winkelman Realty, Linda was very involved in SCRC as a past President (2005-2006), and, with her great leadership style, helped shape the SCRC into what it is today. Linda was a true professional as well as smart, funny and beautiful inside and out. She lived with the highest integrity in all facets of her life. Our industry has lost a very talented woman and mentor to so many of us. Linda is loved by many, many people, and we will miss her deeply.

Born Linda Mary Machala on April 10, 1945, in Sioux Falls, SD, she resided in Southern California for the past 32 years, raising her boys, building lifelong relationships and making friends with everyone that crossed her path. Linda was passionate about her family and her extended network of friends. An avid reader and traveler, she greatly enjoyed her full, rich life.

Linda relocated to California in 1978 and immediately met Realtor Gloria Winkelmann. Their friendship turned into a business relationship and culminated in Linda assuming the position of President of Winkelmann Realty. Aside from her presidency with the Southern California Relocation Council, Linda was a member of the Bay Area Professionals in Relocation Management, the Relocation Director's Council and REOMAC. She was also very involved in the community and served as President of the Fullerton Chamber of Commerce.

Linda is survived by her mother, Irene Machala of Bel Air, MD; her brother and sister-in-law, Mark and Janice Machala of Jarrettsville, MD; her two sons, and daughters in law, Mark and Kim Hawkins of Melbourne, FL, and Christopher 'Swampy' and Dyann Hawkins, of Burbank, CA. She was grandmother to four; Bailey, Ash, Sophie and Marley, and loving aunt to Matthew, Pamela, Kelly and Rilee.

Donations in Linda’s name can be made to Children's Hospital Orange County/ attn: Mother Goose Guild, P.O. Box 1105, Orange, CA, 92856 or the American Heart Association - Orange County division, P.O. Box 6046, Irvine, CA, 92616-6046.