Linda M. Hartwell

Linda Meridith Steele (Saulnier) Hartwell, 79, of Salem, New Hampshire, passed away on June 5, 2024 after a lengthy illness. 

Linda was born a Scorpio on October 25, 1944 to Robert Nesbitt Steele and Barbara Isabel (Anderson) Steele in New Haven, CT. She was one of three siblings, lovingly known as the “Steele Girls” from Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Growing up, each one fought for territory in front of the sole living room mirror lip-syncing to their favorite tune. After Linda graduated from Cape Elizabeth High School, she studied medicine and graduated as one of the first ADN RNs pinned from Northern Essex Community College’s in 1970. Linda attended NECCs classes in Haverhill’s City Hall. 

After graduating, she served primarily in local hospitals, including Hale Hospital and Danvers State Hospital. She realized that she preferred working with the elderly in nursing homes, so she shifted to facilities like Kenoza Manor and Oxford Rehabilitation & Health Care Center in Haverhill. A point of pride was her work in support of TELOCA which, at the time, was a new type of child-centered facility for physically and mentally disabled children founded by Social Worker, Frank Frontera, in Merrimack, Massachusetts. Linda wrapped up her nursing career in Saco, Maine, working for Sweetser, a non-profit residential behavioral health care facility for children. Throughout her 40-year career, Linda held the positions of RN, Director of Nursing (DON), hospice nurse and travelling nurse.

In 1963, while attending college, Linda met her future husband, Russell Mark Saulnier. Both were determined to put each other through college. Linda and Russell had two children, Karen Elizabeth Cabral of Hampstead, New Hampshire, and Mark Andrew Saulnier of Wilmington, North Carolina. Linda and Russell had the notoriety of being the first students, in Keene State College’s marriage dorm, to have a child who’s constant crying drove all the other student’s crazy. When not at work, Linda hosted friends in her home where everyone shared colorful anecdotes and tales of woe to support one another. She was a great listener. 

In 1998, Linda retired from nursing and spent her years immersed in a rich family life that revolved around her children, her son-in-law, Manny Cabral, and five grandchildren, Joseph Richard Cabral, Kerry Lyn Cabral, Nina Rose Cabral, Mitchell Manuel Cabral and Erin Shea Cabral. She loved joining in on family vacations at Hampton and Salisbury Beach. She was a regular presence at her grandchildren’s sporting events, play performances, dance recitals and cheerleading competitions up and down the East Coast. One of her favorite things was Motown music or listening to anything by the original Rat Pack. Closer to home, she could be found dancing and singing the night away at appearances of local musical artist, Bobby-G. When unable to attend his shows at the Fireside, in Methuen, Massachusetts, Linda brought Bobby-G’s entertainment to residents of the Silverthorne Day Program and Salemhaven Nursing Home in Salem, New Hampshire. Her infectious laugh and sense of humor raised the spirits of those around her. She remained a cheerful bright light until the end, despite her battle with Lewy Body disease. 

Linda was predeceased by her parents, Robert and Barbara Steele, her sister, Nancy (Steele) Blanchard and Brother-in-law, David Blanchard, her soul mate, Frank Frontera, her beloved grandparents, George and Hazel Steele and Ernest and Isabel Anderson. Linda is survived by her children, Karen and Mark, and their companions Manuel Cabral and Lynn Levine, her five grandchildren, her sister, Kristina and her husband Randy Knight, her nephew Geoffrey Blanchard and her niece, Kristina and her husband, Brandon Hunley, and their two children. 

A memorial service will be held at Salemhaven Skilled Nursing Home on June 30th at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Northern Essex Community College’s ADN Nursing Program on her behalf. Please contact Linda’s daughter, Karen Cabral, for more information if you are interested in making this type of donation at karencabral88@gmail.com.