Lin Kolb, age 71 of Brevard, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2020, at Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC surrounded by her three devoted men: Ken (husband of 48 years), Erik (son), and Bryan (son). Ken was in the ICU holding Lin’s hand when she passed; Erik and Bryan were virtually present through video chat. Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, we were able to share Lin’s last few hours. She didn’t have the strength to open her eyes, but we believe that she was able to hear us and to feel our love.
Before her death, Lin wrote in her journal that although people, trees, and grass die, love never dies. She left this earth with the same quiet dignity, grace, and assertiveness with which she lived her life. For decades, Lin endured and conquered numerous health challenges. She faced each setback with a tremendous fighting spirit and lust for life, always eager to get back on the tennis court, play a round of golf, and spend time with the many people she loved and who loved her back so dearly.
Born in Davenport, IA and a graduate of Beloit College, Temple University, and the University of Maryland, Lin viewed life as an adventure. For three decades, the Kolb family lived and traveled internationally as American diplomats, and the love of seeing new places and learning new things permeated Lin’s spirit. She was deeply involved with athletics throughout her life, playing competitive tennis, golf, and (more recently) pickleball as well as serving as an administrator for several tennis facilities and organizations. An unrepentant optimist at heart, she wrote in her journal that life is like hiking a mountain trail: most of the time, we’re just walking the ridgeline, but occasionally an unexpected peak appears and blocks our path forward. She said that one has two choices: either stand at the bottom of that mountain in defeat, or climb. No matter what the outcome, Lin chose to climb.
In addition to her husband and sons, Lin leaves behind brother Gary (Mary) of Pittsford, NY, sister-in-law Carol (Ken) of Aurora, IL, and brother-in-law Michael (Christine) of Highland Park, IL. Along with family members, she also leaves behind hundreds of loving friends locally in her adopted home of western North Carolina, in other parts of the U.S., and around the globe. A celebration of Lin’s life will be postponed until such time as the public health situation is more appropriate for large gatherings.
In lieu of flowers, Lin requested that memorial contributions be made in her name to either the North Carolina Tennis Foundation (NCTF) or the South Carolina Tennis Patrons Foundation (SCTPF) to support one of the many causes about which she was passionate, namely using tennis and education to enhance people’s lives through grants, scholarships, and other charitable work.
Online condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com
Moody-Connolly Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.