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.
Reader interactions
18 Replies to “Linda Lee Ayres (nee Johnson)”
My! What sad news and a huge loss! The phrase “terminal extrovert” is fitting, and is how I will always remember Linda. There is now a big void in the Ayres family and she will certainly be missed. Kind thoughts and prayers are going out for Linda, Larry, Lee, Lori, and the rest of Linda’s extended family. May God provide strength and comfort for the difficult days ahead, and fond memories for the years to come.
So sorry for your loss. She was such a vibrant woman. I know she is up in Heaven, with people gathered around a piano listening to her sing. Our prayers are with your family as you grieve.
I am holding you all in my heart and prayers as you will miss Linda deeply until you see her again. Absent from the body. Present with the LORD.
Linda was a great sister-in-law and friend. She was always happy and such a pleasure to be around. It was great when Larry retired from the Navy and they lived in the Columbus area. I got to be with her a lot. It was always fun!
Linda was a great sister-in-law and friend. She was always happy and such a pleasure to be around. I loved to visit them when they moved every 3 or 4 years in the Navy. It was great when Larry retired and they lived in the Columbus area for a while. We shared lots of fun times together.
So saddened to hear of Linda’s passing. She was always such an outgoing, pleasant person. Such a joy to be around. Sending love and prayers to Larry and the entire family. May God comfort you and give you strength during this difficult time.
Linda was a Dear Friend…so grateful for all the fun memories we have…
Sending Love and Prayers to all the family…
Sierra and Larry
Mrs. Ayres…so many fond memories with Lori, Lee & Mr. Ayres back in San Bruno & in Hawaii. I remember her warm personality, beautiful voice & unwavering loyalty to The Ohio State, go Buckeyes! We pray for Mr. Ayres, Lee & my dear friend Lori in these difficult days ahead. She will forever be in our hearts.
So sorry to read this. Prayers for all the family!
So sorry for your loss.
Larry was/is my big brother in Sigma Nu at Ohio State so of course I met Linda then. They were inseparable. We had fun times together making for terrific memories of our times together. Linda was a loving, caring person. I will miss her. My condolences to Larry. We’re both 81 so this is a recurring event in our age group – the loss of a friend. Linda was special. She will be missed by all who knew here. Larry: sorry, brother. Got your Christmas card. Should have called you sooner.
Thanks Terry (Buck). She was fading away due to the Altzheimer’s but I wasn’t ready to let her go yet. Perhaps my memories will be more of the Linda I married than the Linda she was being turned into. I’ll miss her a lot.
We grew up together in schools in Findlay. We were South Enders Linda is fondly remembered for her outgoing personality!! Warm thoughts and prayers for your family!🙏
It was a pleasure to golf with Linda and Larry and call them my friend. Praying for the Ayres families!
Larry and family……my deepest condolences. Although we left SC eight years ago, Linda was always a refreshing breath of air for any occasion at Sun City. I can still picture Her quick smile and kind personality.
Frank has been with Jesus over a year now….he’s playing pool tournaments in heaven, and he’ll be glad to hug Linda!
May God bring you peace knowing she rests in His arms.
My deepest sympathies to the Ayres family. I was the director of the implementation project at OSU Linda was a member of our team. Linda was loved and respected as a person and a colleague. She was special.
Linda was so fun to be around. I feel blessed to have known her. Praying for the family at this time.
Great times with my Aunt Linda will continue to shine in my memory. Her exuberant laugh, her genuineness…her unconditional kindness. To me, Linda—together with Larry—exemplified what a true romantic partnership looks like. When I cheer on the Buckeyes, I think of Linda—probably always will, having sat in their seats at the horseshoe, countless times over the years after they moved away from Ohio but kept their tix (27D!), often selling me every game (except Michigan, of course) while I lived in Clintonville.
Rest in peace, Aunt Linda. You will be forever missed.
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