Linda Jean Garand

DR. LINDA GARAND

Linda Jean Garand, Ph.D., R.N. of Pleasant Hills, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania departed this life on Saturday, March 18, 2023.  Linda was born and grew up in St. Albans, Vermont on July 28, 1958, one of six children of Armand Simeon Garand and Patricia Anne (Cook) Garand.

In addition to her parents, a brother, Peter Allen Garand, preceded her in death.  Linda is survived by her loving husband Benjamin S. Sheeler of 19 years; brothers, David (Debra) Garand of Newburyport, MA, Richard Garand of Ozark, MO, Steven (Cindy) Garand of Sunbury, OH and Thomas (Lisa) Garand of Boynton Beach, FL; brother-in-law Ernest A. Sheeler, Sr., and sister-in-law, Charmaine Sheeler-Mitchell.

The family relocated to Ohio, she graduated high school from Bay Village HS in 1976, and she attended Northwest Missouri State University, B.S. in Biology, Marymount College of Kansas B.S. Nursing, University of Colorado Health Science Center, and Master of Nursing and received her Ph.D. from The University of Iowa.

Dr. Garand, Ph.D., R.N., GCNS-BC, Associate Professor in the School of Nursing at Duquesne University, obtained a PhD in Nursing from the University of Iowa and completed a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Geriatric Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Garand achieved significant national recognition for her contributions to the field of geropsychiatric nursing. She published extensively and presented her work at Scientific Meetings and Global Consortiums. Peer and student evaluations of her teaching effectiveness were consistently excellent. Her research focused on preserving the mental health and well-being of family caregivers of persons with cognitive impairment (e.g. Alzheimer’s Disease, mild cognitive impairment, and traumatic brain injury). With support from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIHM), she characterized the nature and level of psychiatric morbidity and burden among spouses of individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI, a precursor to some forms of dementia), and then she conducted a randomized clinical trial (RCT) of a preventive, problem-solving training (PST)-based mental health intervention with family caregivers of persons with MCI or early dementia. Relative to a comparison intervention, caregivers that received the PST intervention endorsed significantly lower burden and depression levels over one year of follow-up.  Dr. Garand was also awarded a U.S. Department of Defense Peer reviewed Alzheimer's Research Program Award from the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs. 

There is no visitation at this time.  A Memorial Celebration of her life will be held at Duquesne University Chapel of the Holy Spirit on Friday, April 21, 2023, at 2:00pm, 600 McAnulty Dr. Pgh, PA 15282. Chapel of the Holy Spirit There will be a Reception to follow the Memorial Service also at Duquesne University.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Duquesne University School of Nursing.

Linda Jean Garand soulmate, friend, wife and of a brilliant mind, will be greatly missed by many. Linda loved to bake sweet treats, share her knowledge and visit with family and friends. Linda will be remembered for her generosity, love of nursing science and her wit.

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