UPDATE: by Candace Riley

After 22 years at WCTV, Linda Stringer is saying her final goodbyes.

Co-workers from past and present, who consider her family, gather to say thank you for the love and support she gave throughout her many years at WCTV.

A video displayed her generosity and mothering personality brought friends to tears.

Ms. Linda's sister, brother-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandson all came out to share in the celebration ...
Her 7-year old granddaughter has already started planning her free time.

Olivia says, "I can see her as soon as she doesn't walk out the door and maybe sometimes she might pick me up from school and I know she's going on a field trip with me cause she told me she was."

Ms. Linda's official last day is March 18th and we're sure it will be an even more emotional day for all of us here at WCTV.

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Every night, you allow us to come into your homes. You've had a chance to know us both on television and off of it. But that's not the case of everyone here at WCTV.

There are a lot of people that make things happen behind the scenes. But there aren't many people like Linda Stringer. She's been a mainstay here for two decades and on Friday, she's calling it a career, but not before touching the lives of everyone of us who have walked through these doors.

Most of our WCTV viewers have never heard of Linda Stringer, but if you've called the station before, most likely, you've talked to the sweet woman who takes your calls, good or bad. For the past 22 years, Linda has been an integral part of our news team. Working with management, working the phones, and touching the lives of everyone who has walked through these doors over the past two decades.

"It's been a real good time. I've met people from Governor Bush down to people who have walked in off the street here who were homeless and then all of our co-workers here, it's been such a fun place to work," said Stringer.

"Ms. Linda is a once in a lifetime kind of person. I was fortunate enough to work with her for almost two decades and that was an honor and a privilege," said former WCTV News Director Mike Smith.

Linda spent years working with former news director Mike Smith, making sure every I was dotted and T was crossed. But she also spent a lot of time as a life coach, psychologist, and friend to many of us who needed a shoulder to lean on. And Miss Linda always knew the right thing to say.

"Ms. Linda was--Ms. Linda kept all of us on the straight and narrow. It's very difficult, but she really did. She was like our mom away from home," said former anchor Carmen Cummings, "Even though you think you are out and about, and you can do your own thing, Ms. Linda had a way of gently nudging you. She was like your conscious. You know."

Linda Stringer walks away into the sunset, a woman who leaves on her own to spend more time with her kids and grand kids. She has plans for what she wants to do in retirement, but it sounds like her days are already planned for her.

"My grand children are going to occupy a lot of my time. My youngest granddaughter has me lined up to volunteer at school. So I don't think I'll have a life of my own. Sounds like everyone has it planned for me."