Linda Lawton Hewett

Linda Lawton Hewett, who was born in Westerly, RI, on July 1, 1947, and grew up in Michigan City, IN, peacefully left this life on October 4, 2025, in Traverse City, MI, after a courageous battle with Merkel cell carcinoma. She was the daughter of the late Marjorie (née Zeidler) and Raymond Lawton. Linda leaves behind her beloved husband, Alton ‘John’ Hewett, and her cherished daughter, Alison (Leon) Franzen of Wake Forest, NC, along with her adored grandchildren Julian, Ben, and Ivy, who brought her endless joy. She is also survived by her loving sisters Diane Daum and JoAnne (Rod) David, her brother Michael (Sally) Lawton, and her nieces and nephew Deborah (Steve) Fairbanks, Chris Schaefer, and Rachel (Jason Drake) Schaefer, all of whom will fondly remember her warmth and laughter. She was preceded in death by her parents, her nephew Stephen Fisch, and her brother-in-law Bob Daum. Linda began her federal career with the Social Security Administration in Michigan City, later joining the National Park Service at Indiana Dunes National Park and then Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. She concluded her distinguished career with the U.S. Department of Justice in Grand Rapids, MI, in 1997. A true lover of nature, Linda found peace and joy in the outdoors - from the beaches of Lake Michigan to the quiet trails of state and national forests. Some of her favorite places included Good Harbor and Birch Pond in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park, and the many trails winding through the Pierre Marquette State Forest. Two of her fondest adventures were getting married in Hawaii and a six-week cross-country trip in a camper van exploring the beauty of the United States. She and John shared many happy years hiking and enjoying nature together. Linda had a lifelong love of books, especially historical fiction, and she and her daughter Ali shared many thoughtful conversations about the stories they both enjoyed. She brought that same curiosity and warmth to her role as Nini, cherishing the time she spent with her grandchildren on one of her many visits to California and North Carolina and the simple moments they shared together. Linda was fun and loving and will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Final arrangements will be private. Those wishing to honor Linda’s memory may consider a gift to the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy (gtrlc.org), The Father Fred Foundation (fatherfred.org), or by planting a tree in her name through the National Wildlife Federation’s Trees for Wildlife program (nwf.org), or by spending a few moments reflecting on her and the things she loved…nature, the woods and life.

Linda Lawton Hewett

July 1, 1947 - October 4, 2025