Linda Lee Ayres (nee Johnson), age 80 of Willoughby, passed away December 16th, 2025, at LakeWest Medical Center with her family by her side. She was born on August 11th, 1945, in Findlay, OH to the late Lloyd and Decima Johnson.
Linda received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Ohio State University. She met her husband, Larry, when he helped move her into the dorm on her first day on campus over 62 years ago. They married 4 years later immediately following graduation from OSU and began their lives together in California, the location of Larry’s first assignment as a Naval Officer.
Linda started her early career as a teacher for various schools and ultimately became a Civil Servant for the Navy, serving as a program analyst for several years in all the many places the Navy sent them. When they settled in Columbus in 1994, she began working for the university that she loved, combining her teaching and information systems skills on a software implementation team at Ohio State.
Outside of her career Linda was a huge Ohio State University football fan, had a gift for singing and performing, enjoyed golfing, and was a “terminal extravert” making friends everywhere she went. She was a devoted mother and wife, and most loved cooking for and spending time with her family. Linda and Larry enjoyed many years of retirement living in South Carolina, where they became involved in the community, made new friends, and traveled the world.
Linda was the loving wife for 58 years of Larry Lee Ayres; beloved mother of Lee Ayres, and Lori (Lance) Ream; dearest grandmother of Kaley, Nathan, and Evan Ream; sister of Jean Driggs; aunt to many nieces and nephews.
The Ayres family will receive family and friends from 12:00 Noon – 2:00 PM Saturday, December 27th, 2025, at Jeff Monreal Funeral Home, 1000 Mentor Ave., Painesville. A Memorial Service will follow at 2:00 PM Saturday at the funeral home.
Donations can be made in Linda’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org
Mom would love it if people came in OSU spirit wear/Scarlet and Gray!! Her favorite color was red and she loved her Buckeyes.
