Life story

" Linda Boughton, 73, of Brightwood, VA passed away Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at Hospice of the Piedmont Center of Acute Care in Charlottesville, VA. She was born May 23, 1948 in Troy, New York to the late Edward Havelock Boughton and Elizabeth Bridgman Boughton.
Linda grew up with a love for horses, she enjoyed showing and attending horse camps. In 1965, she was named Junior Rookie of the Year for her junior division performance in the 30th 100-mile Trail Ride sponsored by the Green Mountain Horse Association in Vermont. In 1966 she graduated from Tamarac Jr/Sr High School in Troy, and proceeded to attend Green Mountain College, studying in design. Her heart then took over and she enjoyed traveling across the seas to Italy and exploring Europe. When she came back to the states she settled in as a homemaker and volunteer. She served as an elected officer of the Enlisted Men's Wives Club in Dahlgren. On Base she also volunteered as a Girl Scout Leader and taught Ceramic Classes.
When it was time to move on, a spot in the country was found where she enjoyed gardening and raising livestock. A fondness in raising rabbits developed and she became a judge with the American Rabbit Breeders Association, traveling to several shows, conventions and volunteering her time with 4-H. Eventually she chose to venture out into the working world, where she enjoyed careers in jewelry sales and working as a photographer for the News and Observer in Raleigh, NC.
She missed the mountains of Virginia and upon moving back she started her career as an Embroidery Machine Operator at Plow & Hearth and retired as the Sample Room Coordinator. In her spare time her passion for photography expanded and she started her own photography business, Aesthetic Reflections. As her grandchildren grew, she found herself once again volunteering and enjoyed being the photographer at the local fair.
In 2018, life changed with a cancer diagnosis, and she battled the effects of the surgery for four years. During this time, rides on the back roads and having family around to help brought her the most joy.
Linda is survived by her three children, James Michael Holt, Jr. and wife, Cherie, Jessica Mary Dodson and husband, Darrin, and Jennifer Lynn Weakley and husband, Jeff; siblings, Douglas Boughton, Geoff Boughton and wife, Lauren, Scott Dralle and wife, Carol, and Gail Evans and husband, John; grandchildren, Charles Williams and wife, Amanda, Ryan Williams, James “Michael” Holt, III, Amanda Weakley-Scott and husband, Roger, Brandi Edwards and husband, Jonathan, Alisa Holt, Lena Holt, and Courtney Weakley; great grandchildren, Jackson and Addie Bench, Conner and Everleigh Edwards, Easton Williams, Susan and Emily Harris, and Grace and Faith Scott; and numerous extended family and friends.
In addition to her parents, Linda is preceded in death by an infant son.
We would like to give a special thank you to Dr. Matthew J. Reilley, who oversaw her care, to all the nurses who came through weekly, and to the Hospice of the Piedmont who made sure the final days of her journey were as comfortable as they could be.
Per moms wishes, a Celebration of Life will be held in the Fall.
"