It’s with a heavy heart we share that Linda Kunick, a well-known community advocate and artist, passed away on Nov. 4 at age 77.
For 40 years, Kunick worked for Envision (formerly Resident Home Corporation) as a teacher’s helper, office clerk and advocate. “I love to tell people how I became a butterfly, which was coming out of my cocoon and learning to speak up for myself,” she said in 2015.
After retiring from Envision, Kunick worked for Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services as part of the advocacy team. She was a founding member of Advocacy Leadership Network, which trained future leaders with disabilities to talk about important issues, and she was part of the Leaders in Action advocacy group.
Kunick was passionate about talking respectfully to and about people with disabilities. She came up with “Label Jars, Not People” to promote people-first language and served on several statewide disability organizations including Ohio DD Council and People First of Ohio.
Diana Mairose first remembers Kunick as a co-facilitator from Partners in Policymaking. “Linda enjoyed helping others by sharing her butterfly journey and through storytelling,” Mairose said, adding that Kunick’s enthusiasm for inclusive language inspired her.
“We both loved traveling to see friends together. Linda, your butterfly is bright and curious like your smile. Your zest for learning never stopped.”
In addition to advocacy, Kunick loved art and was a Teaching Artist at Visionaries + Voices. She often used colorful and abstract butterflies to represent freedom, growth and her personal journey. In 2023, her work was featured at the Cincinnati Art Museum, alongside other V+V artists. “Art is my favorite thing to do,” she said. “It makes me very happy.”
Brandi Maples met Kunick at V+V, and they became close friends. “We had lots of great conversations together,” Maples said. “Linda was such a strong advocate and used to tell me stories about growing up with a DD. She was an incredible person and will be missed.”
Linda Kunick, known as The Butterfly Lady, was passionate about advocacy and art. She fiercely advocated for inclusive language and taught other artists how to express themselves through creativity. Linda will be dearly missed.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, Nov. 8, at Ross Community United Methodist Church, 2943 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton, Ohio 45013, from 10 a.m. until the funeral service at noon with Pastor Chris Trumbull officiating. Burial to follow at Venice Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Linda’s name to Visionaries + Voices.
