Long term club member Linda Abbenbroek passed away recently. Please read on for a tribute by Jan MacLennan. (They won the Club Pairs championship in 2020).
Linda Fleming as she was then, said that her life changed (for the better) the day that she saw an advert. in the Manly Daily for bridge lessons at Collaroy Plateau school in the early 80s. These were run by Flo. Wilkinson, a long time P.B.C. Member. Linda embraced the lessons with gusto. At the completion she joined P.B.C. back in the day when we played at Mona Vale golf club in a building adjacent to the Pro. Shop. Linda was a natural and along the way formed a bridge partnership with John Abbenbroek, which grew into a life partnership until John’s passing some 2 years ago.
They were a formidable pair at the bridge table. In the mid 80s they took over Avalon R.S.L. Bridge Club from Vi. Gower & John Verhulst. (If you look at the old notice boards at the club, you will see these names).
Linda & John were firm & fair directors and ran their clubs efficiently. They later moved to Mona Vale Bowling Club & branched out to Balgowlah R.S.L. and Dee Why R.S.L. and after Covid closures Linda resumed face to face bridge at Seaforth Bowling Club. She was always keen to encourage new players and was a great teacher.
Outside her clubs Linda loved to play this game to which we are all addicted. She was a brilliant player & an amazing partner always supportive & generous. I recall playing with her on one occasion when an opponent hissed “why are you both so nice to one another?". Linda said, “why not we’ve been friends for almost 40 years".
Linda leaves a gap in the lives of a lot of bridge players which I think would surprise her. She is deeply missed by her friends. One in a million.
Linda’s family is holding a memorial service at Seaforth Bowling Club at 2pm on Friday 13 January. Should you wish to attend please notify Julius Danko on 0408 263 349.
