Linda Ann Harlow

Linda Ann Harlow lived a life defined by curiosity, creativity, leadership, and generosity. She passed away on January 25, 2026, after a courageous two-year battle with renal cell carcinoma, leaving behind a legacy as vibrant and far-reaching as the many lives she touched. Born in Fort Myers, Florida, Linda grew up in rural South Florida, where her independence and work ethic took root early. She attended Palm Beach High School and spent her teenage years laughing with friends at the Hut soda shop in West Palm Beach—already showing the warmth and charm that would become her trademark. Linda earned an Associate Degree in Accounting from Palm Beach Junior College and launched a career that was anything but ordinary. Her first job as restaurant manager at Miles Grant Country Club in Stuart, Florida, set the stage for a lifetime of leadership. She went on to sell real estate with Century 21, earned her Florida Real Estate Broker’s License, and became Qualifying Broker for Seabridge Development in Stuart. Her professional excellence led her to serve as President of the Stuart Board of Realtors and later as Property Appraiser for Martin County, Florida. Never one to sit still, Linda also supervised Treasure Coast construction projects for her husband, Albert, and lent her eye for beauty as Downtown Fort Pierce’s color coordinator for the newly formed Main Street organization. Her entrepreneurial spirit shone brightly as the owner of Florida’s largest hat store, Oh! Hats!, and later as Chief Operating Officer of Trans- Micro, Inc., a national computer software company. In retirement, Linda simply changed gears—she didn’t slow down. Alongside Albert, she became a world traveler, soaking up cultures, art, and cuisine wherever they went. She served as Chairman of the Marion Cultural Alliance and opened Artist-Alley, a fine art gallery in Ocala, Florida. A gifted painter, Linda received numerous awards for her work and quietly donated all proceeds from her personal art sales to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She also painted anonymous “fallen soldiers” portraits, gifting them to families with deep compassion and respect. Linda managed North Central Florida art shows with her Artist-Alley art group, mentoring artists and building community wherever she went. Her belief in art as service was unwavering. In August 2025, despite her illness, Linda fulfilled a cherished bucket-list dream: a vacation to Maine with Albert, where they explored the coastline, took in the sights, and joyfully indulged in gourmet lobster at the very best restaurants—savoring life together to the fullest. Linda is survived by her devoted husband, Albert Sanowskis; her children, Suzanne Perkins (David) and Hal Harlow; her grandchildren, Melissa Burnett (Bryan) and Nick Perkins (Trish); and her great-grandchild, Hailey Perkins. She is also lovingly remembered as the daughter of Paul and Mary Katherine Sloane. Linda requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, an organization that reflected her lifelong commitment to helping others. Her life was beautifully lived, boldly imagined, and generously shared—and the world is brighter because she was in it.

Linda Ann Harlow

December 1, 1947 - January 25, 2026