Linda Bozich

Linda Bozich (née Leonard), 78, passed away peacefully at her home in Grayslake, Illinois, on Friday, May 8, 2026, after a long illness. Linda was born on September 4, 1947, in Chicago to John and Ruth Leonard. An only child, she spent her childhood on her parents’ picnic grove, playing with her cousins. Her family later moved to Palatine, and Linda graduated from Fremd High School in 1965. She met Branko Bozich at The Mouse Trap Club in Vernon Hills, and they were married in October of 1968 at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Monastery in Libertyville. Linda and Branko lived in Schaumburg, Mundelein and Grayslake, building each home they lived in with great care and attention to detail. Linda and Branko delighted in fly-in fishing trips to Canada in their early years of marriage. After their daughter Christine was born, the three of them enjoyed fishing in Missouri, Arkansas, Wisconsin, and on yearly trips to Ely, Minnesota. Linda began working in an office at the age of 15 and continued in that role for 50 years. When her daughter was young, she worked for Mundelein School District 75 and enjoyed walking to and from work each day. After moving to Grayslake, she spent more than 20 years with the Lake County Tech Campus as a bookkeeper. An active, energetic and disciplined person, Linda took great care of herself. She went to the Libertyville Sports Complex fitness center multiple times per week where she cherished her community of friends as well as the exercise classes. She practiced yoga and meditation and explored Chinese medicine and acupuncture. In her retirement, Linda loved traveling throughout the United States and Europe. Her favorite trips were to Ireland and Iceland. She kept very busy when not working, honing her skills as a seamstress, gardner, baker and quilter. She became a certified Master Gardener and put her skills to work in her beautiful yard, in which she took great pride. Linda was a lifelong sewer; her whole life she used the same Singer sewing machine that her mother gave her when she was 14 years old. She sewed clothing for loved ones, including for her daughter’s Barbie dolls. Later in life she annually made elaborate Halloween costumes and Christmas ornaments for each grandchild. Linda also found joy in teaching her granddaughter Ruza to sew. The pair had great laughs on Fridays after school during their special sewing sessions. Linda was a huge fan of country music. She line danced for years, mostly at the Sundance Saloon in Mundelein. She attended various live country concerts, seeing her favorite artist Keith Urban a number of times. At the end of her life, she loved listening to old songs by Willie Nelson. Linda is survived by her daughter Christine (Nikolai) Jankovich, grandchildren Ruza and Marko, and former husband and lifelong friend Branko. She was preceded in death by her parents Ruth and John Leonard. In lieu of flowers, Linda requested that donations be made to Paws for Patrick or Greyhounds Only, Inc., her two favorite charities that she continually supported. A celebration of life will be planned at a later date. Arrangements by Burnett-Dane Funeral Home in Libertyville.

Linda Bozich

September 4, 1947 - May 8, 2026