MS LOUISIANA SENIOR AMERICA 2017,
LINDA LISTER

CONGRATULATIONS to DR. LINDA LISTER, Ms. Louisiana 2017!

Affectionately known as the, "Friendship Lady", Dr. Lister was born and raised in Louisiana. She was one of the first women accepted into Yale and subsequently earned a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology at the University of Denver.

Growing up in the New Orleans area, Dr. Lister acknowledges her parents and family for their unconditional love and integrity; the culture for it's diversity and emphasis on joy and great food; and the continued relationships with her childhood 'forever friends.

During high school, Linda served as student body president, cheerleader, Girls State, Homecoming Court, and Most Outstanding Senior Girl.

After college, marriage took her to Colorado where she was blessed to give birth to two beautiful daughters. As a devoted mother, Dr. Lister was a teacher and school psychologist at her daughter's elementary school so they would have the same schedules. After completing a Ph.D. in her 40's, she developed a private practice, evaluating and diagnosing learning disabilities, giftedness, and educational decision making for over 3,000 children. Now, semi-retired, she serves as an expert witness in court regarding educational and psychological issues related to divorce and school placement. Dr. Lister continues to help children find joy In learning and develop positive peer relationships.

Two months after counseling bereaved parents and students affected by the Columbine High School shootings, Dr. Lister's younger daughter died unexpectedly from an equestrian accident. It was a transformational experience that led to increased self awareness and commitment to help other bereaved parents, grandparents, and siblings in similar situations. She made a lemonade out of her grief by counseling others in bereavement and speaking at national conferences. When asked, "How many children do you have"?, she typically responds, "I have one daughter thriving in NYC and one in heaven". She looks forward to each new day and believes every year brings new adventures.

Her interests include competitive tennis for 40 consecutive years; ballroom dancing for 30 years, and giving back to the community. She loves taking her pt therapy dog, "Mr Dickens" to hospitals, as well as performing showcases for schools and senior centers.

Dr. Lister's Age of Elegance mantra is a quote from Ginger Rogers, "When you are happy, you don't count the years".