Linda Ellen Podas Chapman

08/11/1945 – 04/06/2024 

Linda Ellen Podas Chapman passed away on April 6, 2024, of natural causes after five years dealing with multiple myeloma.

She was born Aug. 11, 1945, the youngest of four children born to Minnie (Jerry) Irene Taylor Podas and Charles Robert Podas. Linda graduated from Washburn High School in 1963. She then attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri where she earned her associate degree. She always said, “The best two years of my life!” 

Linda married in 1970 to James Montgomery Chapman (divorced in 1987) and moved to Santa Barbara, California. She raised two beautiful daughters, Caroline and Melissa.

Linda was very active in her community, volunteering with the Junior League of Santa Barbara, Braille Auxiliary, Music Academy of the West and Family Service Agency; she was also an active participant in her daughters’ schools, Laguna Blanca School and San Marcos High School. Linda always served on the boards where she was affiliated, as she wanted to be where the decisions were made. 

During her 50 years in Santa Barbara, Linda worked at Sansum Clinic for over 20 years, first with Dr. Myron Liebhaber in Allergy & Immunology, then with the Clinical Research Team. It was there she worked alongside the Clinical Research nurses as an assistant, primarily supporting trials for Alzheimer’s disease. Linda loved getting to organize the trials from A to Z. She was very detail-oriented and genuinely loved getting to know the people in her community. She always said, “Everyone has a story.” 

Her last bit of official employment came later in her life; when she was 71, she worked at the Northern Trust Bank in Montecito. While only there for three years, Linda’s administrative and – again – organizational skills supported the branch, and she loved greeting and welcoming clients with her warm smile and genuine care. For her, however, the gift was the joy, friendships and camaraderie of her colleagues at Northern Trust. She loved staying active after 70 in her community and visiting with old friends who would come by the bank.

One of her proudest moments was earning her bachelor’s degree in science, cum laude, from Stephens College in 2007. The ceremony was attended by her daughters, her sister, and three beloved Stephens classmates from 1965. Her diploma was presented by Dr. Wendy Libby, Stephens’ president. This was especially meaningful, as Linda had served on the search committee to recruit Dr. Libby to Stephens. Linda was a member of the Stephens Alumnae Board.

Linda was a long-time member of All Saints-By-The-Sea Episcopal Church, where she led the Alter Guild and served on two search committees. She was a former longtime member of The Little Town Club.

Linda is survived by her beloved and beautiful (inside and out) daughters Caroline Victoria Chapman and Melissa Anne Chapman Koonce. Her strong, supportive loving son-in-law Darrin Joseph Koonce. Her beloved grandchildren Emma Nicole Koonce and Brady Alexander Koonce. Her siblings Patricia Ingersoll (Russell), Gary Podas (Kathy) along with nieces and nephews. She is also remembered by her former spouse, James Montgomery Chapman, whom she shared a chapter of her life’s story. She is predeceased by her parents, her sister Charlene Levy, and her 2 premature identical twin daughters Mary and Amanda. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Linda Chapman to either All Saints-By-The-Sea Episcopal Church or the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara. Services will be held at All Saints-By-The-Sea in Santa Barbara, Summer 2024.