Submitted by Don Hughes, Conservation Chair, Iroquois Group
Much of this tribute was penned by Andra Leimanis, from AGREE, and Rhea Jezer, current co-chair of Iroquois Group’s Political Committee.
We must share the sad news that on June 10, 2020, Linda DeStefano died in a tragic accident in Syracuse, New York. Linda was president and founder of People for Animal Rights, and was a co-founder and guiding light of Alliance for a Green Economy, both based in Syracuse. She filled many roles in the Sierra Club, including Conservation Chair of the Iroquois Group for over 20 years, and Chair of the Atlantic Chapter's Nuclear and Biodiversity/Vegetarian Outreach committees. She was also a past delegate to the Chapter's Executive Committee. She was one of the most ardent, knowledgeable and dogged defenders of the environment and of animals. Linda and her husband of forty years, Dr. Richard Weiskopf, were also involved in issues of social justice and voting integrity.
Linda was tireless in her mission to create a better world. She often could be seen holding signs at rallies. She lobbied elected officials, spoke at public hearings and wrote many letters to the editor.
To honor and remember Linda, we will hold her convictions and lessons in our hearts. Linda’s environmentalism and empathy were expansive. She fought for the rights of all living things — from the people on this planet suffering under corporate pollution, to the animals abused for human benefit, to the butterflies mutated by radiation at Fukushima. She reminded us of our responsibility to conserve energy, transform our diets, and reduce our impact in this world. She practiced what she preached, maintaining a vegan diet and often taking public transportation.
May we all be as faithful and outspoken in our work as she, and may her life’s work continue to blossom in the hands of all who knew her. The Iroquois Group and the entire Atlantic Chapter mourn the loss of Linda DeStefano. We send our love and our condolences to Linda’s family and to all of her friends and comrades far and wide whose lives Linda changed. The world is a better place because of her having walked amongs us.
Donations in Linda's memory may be made to People for Animal Rights, PO Box 15358, Syracuse, New York 13215–0358 and other organizations she worked with, including Alliance for a Green Economy, or the Sierra Club–Iroquois Group and Atlantic Chapter.
