Linda O. Mearns—A Life Lived on Her Own Terms
Linda Mearns, a lifelong student of uncertainty, was sure of the things that mattered: her love for her long-time partner and wife, Zhenya Gallon, her deep and abiding friendships, and her belief—often wry, sometimes stubborn—that the fight for a better world was always worth it. She lived with fierce intellect, unwavering loyalty, and a keen eye for injustice.
Linda passed away peacefully at home on the evening of January 23, 2025, surrounded by love, after an arduous six-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Zhenya was by her side, along with her beloved cats, Crispin and Theo. She was 75 years old. During her illness Linda received excellent, compassionate care from the Anschutz Medical Center’s cancer and palliative care teams and from at-home hospice and home health aides. Zhenya is eternally grateful for the friends near and far who rallied around both of them with such unbridled love and support.
From her birth in 1949 on Long Island, Linda never followed a conventional path. Whether in life or in thought, she questioned with deep intent, challenged with acerbic wit, and resisted easy answers. She studied philosophy at the University of Wisconsin–Madison as an undergraduate—a fitting foundation for a scholar whose career would be defined by grappling with uncertainty.
With her unbounded curiosity, Linda could have taken many paths. After a few years in France, where she earned a diploma in French language skills, she chose to pursue her love of science and nature through graduate studies in geography and climatology at the University of California, Los Angeles. After completing her master’s and PhD, Linda accepted a postdoctoral fellowship in 1987 at the National Science Foundation’s National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado. She spent the next four decades there, rising to Senior Scientist in 1995 and directing an institute and several programs along the way. At NCAR, she pioneered research on climate change, from regional climate modeling, climate change scenario development, and decision making under uncertainty, to climate impacts on agriculture, ecosystems, and the built environment.
Linda was a renowned scientist with an extraordinary national and international influence. Her development of the North American Regional Climate Change Assessment Program (NARCCAP) was fundamental in advancing regional climate research in the U.S. and abroad. Her work was groundbreaking, not just in its scientific contributions, but in her insistence that different disciplines should actually talk to each other, long before interdisciplinarity and convergence research gained currency. She helped make a seat at the table for diverse stakeholders, from farmers to water and wildfire managers, infrastructure engineers, and other planners and policymakers. She was an indefatigable participant in the United Nations–sponsored Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, serving as an author for all but the first of the panel’s six assessment reports to date (1995-2022). Linda’s work and that of colleagues from around the world led to the IPCC being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007—though she would have been first to point out that the honor did not come with a tiara.
Linda had a profound influence on the young people in her life. As a dedicated mentor, she guided dozens of young scientists—not only but especially women—with a balance of challenge and grace, leaving a lasting impression on their careers. Yet Linda’s passion for science extended far beyond the academic world: she shared it generously with her friends and their children, making complex ideas accessible and inspiring. She had a gift for turning everyday moments into opportunities for wonder and learning.
Most notably, though, Linda collected people and never lost them. Her professional collaborators often became lifelong friends, and her personal friendships, spanning decades, were sustained by her attentiveness, playfulness, and the kind of loyalty that means showing up—always. The fervent fellow students at Madison fighting racial and social injustice and protesting the Vietnam War, the Los Angeles Bread and Roses feminist theater group bringing laughter and light to gender issues, the Save Mono Lake Committee, the many dedicated NARCCAP participants, the late-lunch crowd at NCAR, the eternally famous Book Group—Linda was somehow always essential. Every group became a circle, and every circle a family, whether writing a book, saving a lake, or sharing a song.
Linda navigated the world of science much as she did the world at large—with intellect, persistence, wit, and a healthy skepticism of authority. The impact of her pioneering work was recognized upon her retirement in 2024, when she was named an NCAR Distinguished Scholar, making her the only woman to date to hold that title. It was, as she might have said, about damn time.
Linda authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications. Her honors include the American Association of Geographers Distinguished Scholarship and Lifetime Achievement Awards, the Stephen Schneider Lecture of the American Geophysical Union, and election as a fellow of the American Meteorological Society.
Linda and Zhenya had many plans for their retirement, but the universe, as it so often does, had other ideas. And yet, Linda died as she had lived—on her own terms, surrounded by the people she loved, questioning, challenging, and always completely herself.
Donations in Linda’s memory may be made to the Gaylord Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies Fund (University of Wisconsin), the Climate Science Legal Defense Fund, or Doctors Without Borders. A memorial gathering is planned for the spring.
A life well lived but too short. The world is a better place for her being here.
Linda
A life to celebrate.
I didn’t know Linda very long. But long enough to realize how beautiful person she is! I learned so much from her: her compassion, her deep respect for human beings, her resilience.
But it’s impossible to talk about Linda without talking about Zenhia! I am profoundly transformed by their love, their unconditional love, their way of communicating, of giving each other space, of respecting each other and each person around them!
I am honored to know them and so grateful for everything I received from them, for everything I shared with them.
She is no longer physically with us, and we miss her greatly. But in another way, she lived on in each of us through the memories she shared with us, through her legacy.
Wow wow wow. This is how you make the world a better place. She really made on mark on America and the world. So sorry Zhen. Hugs. Frances
Zhenya,
My deepest condolences to you. I enjoyed knowing and working with Linda, she was a shining light at NCAR.
Best reagrds,
Paul
She was a wonderful, wise and witty friend who I will never forget.
Linda was always an avid advocate and a good friend. Whenever we met, we reminisced about studying at University of Wisconsin – Madison and being Badgers. But our strongest connection was that we were both fascinated about uncertainty across the Earth’s climate system. I’ll miss our discussions and getting a puzzled look from her when I’d say something odd ( which happened often ). I’m sad to say goodbye but have lots to remember as well. Peace and love, from our family. Chris and Kelly Forest
What a beautiful obituary. It made me cry. Linda’s death is such a huge loss to you, Zhenya, to so many others – and to the world. We are all better because she was here. I’ve got my arms around you, Zhenya! Love, Judy
This a remarkably fitting memorial to a remarkable individual. A “life well-lived” is putting it mildly; Linda was a powerhouse.
I’m glad I had the privilege of knowing her and grateful for her contributions toward making the world a better place.
Much sympathy to Zhenya.
I was shocked and saddened to receive news of Linda’s death this morning — I had not know she was ill, let along that she passed away. She was a wonderful colleague whose curiosity always pushed me to chart an intellectually challenging and honest way through a problem, whether it was something we were debating or a project we were working on together. Her honesty and willingness to stand up for what was right always shone through to me. We will miss her voice as we seek to hold our scientific and civic institutions accountable in these trying times. Zhenya, please accept my condolences. I’m so sorry for the loss you experienced and are suffering.
Thanks for this beautifur remembarnce, Zhenya. She was a seminal thiinker in the development of qualitative uncertainty models for human-natural systems, a pioneer in many other areas of environmental science and policy, a powerful force at NCAR/UCAR, and a darned good bassist in a darned good rock n’ roll band. Not to mention a valued friend. We were regular lunch buddies at NCAR. It took her a while to warm up to me, as she had a natural suspicion of anyone in a position of authority, but she forgave me once she realized how little authority I had. She was the most obviously unique person I’ve ever known.
Linda’s dedication to impactful climate science and ever-questioning of assumptions, in her quest to improve evidence-based research were inspirational to so many of us. Her blend of deep scientist and light-hearted humanist made her a wonderful colleague, both at work and at play. I was lucky enough to collaborate with Linda through the National Climate Assessment, IPCC, research grants, and in setting up the summer public health experience at NCAR. What a wonderful (smart and funny) colleague and friend. I am so grateful for her contributions and her friendship, and will miss her immensely.
With gratitude and sadness, Jonathan
I went to elementary and high school with Linda. We weren’t close friends but I always had a sense that we should be. We had a chance to chat at our 50th HS reunion. Walking with a small group of friends the long nearly mile route to Junior and Senior high school we would pass Linda’s street. She would cross the street and join us. I remember being very pleased to have a chance to chat. A very nice memory for me to keep.
Linda made a huge impression upon me. I remember that she volunteered her time to non-profits by offering lunch into silent auctions. “Lunch and a tour of NCAR with Linda Mearns” was how she named it, I believe. Those folks who scheduled their lunches with her walked away not only knowing something about science but about Linda – her unbelievable smart-ass sense of humor (my kinda gal) and her very unique way of looking at the world. She came to our lab for her last few years of her career and never missed a Thursday stop at my office for a mini Snickers bar. I’m so sorry, Zhenya, for your loss. I will keep you in my thoughts and I will always remember Linda.
May Linda’s memory be a blessing.
Linda was a force of nature in a unique way. I always admired her intellect, power, honesty, and humanity. She made the world of science a better place, and she incessantly strived to make the world a better place. My deepest condolences, Zhenya.
I first met Linda in High School English classes. She had such a supreme sense of wry humor and was always such fun to speak with. We laughed quite a lot together. When I had planned our 50th high school reunion I was absolutely thrilled that she was able to attend with Zhenya. Condolences to all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Linda was one of my heroines. She was truly a force of nature. I loved her relentless determination to make the world a better place. Her co-leadership in establishing the Boulder Women in Atmospheric Science helped establish a community of us to support one another. I will never forget the way she asked us all to ensure that we stood with integrity and compassion as we navigated the often challenging science journey. Her sense of humor helped buoy us all. May Linda’s spirit and humor continue to inspire us. My deepest condolences Zhenya.
Zhenya, you and Linda were inspiring in many ways. You were loving, respecful and kind. Each time I walked into your house, I saw peace and dignity. Thank you for sharing with me the information on
the information on Linda’s presentations.
Zhenya,
My time knowing and speaking with Linda was short, but it was a joy. Her personality and deep care for others came through in every conversation she had.
May her memory be a blessing to you, and all who knew her, forever.
Sending you abounding love ❤️
Nicole
I’ve just learned of Linda’s passing. We shared many interests, particularly when I was a post-doctoral fellow at NCAR/ESIG, and through geography meetings over the years. We lost touch after I left the US in 1990 for positions in England, where I remain. I see Linda’s face now and hear her voice and I’m smiling at her wry humour as I recall. Zhenya, my heart and light reaches out to you.
Last month when I attended the annual UCAR meeting I noticed Linda was not at the reception. I asked about her and was shocked when I was told that she had died. I met her in 1993 when we both served on a DOE regional climate center review panel. We quickly bonded over our interest in climate, being Badgers with our fond memories of going to the University of Wisconsin in Madison, our irreverence for most serious things, and our reverence for Steve Schneider. As already pointed out, she was a force of nature and would fiercely defend things important to her. I remember when NCAR did away with her group that worked on impacts. Although several people lost their jobs, Linda fought for and retained hers. She was a great scientist, particularly for her contributions to regional climate modeling. I will miss her. My deepest condolences, Zhenya. I am so sorry for your loss.