Linda Ann Deivert

Linda Deivert (nee Scartelli) was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania on June 5, 1952
to Tony and Elizabeth Scartelli. She grew up in neighboring Dunmore and graduated
from Dunmore Central Catholic High School in 1970. After attending the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut for one year Linda moved to Richmond, California in 1972, where she resided for 45 years.

Linda decided to answer a calling to practice medicine in the 1970s and went back to school, taking classes first at Laney Community College. Previously she had no science background at all but she fell in love with classes like Organic Chemistry. She loved logic and solving problems, which served her well in her studies as well as in her medical practice years later, where she was dedicated to serving underserved communities. Along with that Linda was a Medic at the Berkeley Community Health Project (Berkeley Free Clinic) for many years while a student at the University of California at Berkeley where she had transferred from Laney. She was a graduate of UC Berkeley and San Francisco State (BS 1987 Physiology and MA Biology 1992). She became a Shift Professional at the Free Clinic after finishing the Physician Assistant Program at Stanford in 1997. As a Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C) she specialized in Family Practice at Hayward Family Care. Her practice involved the complete gamut of cases that is expected and much more.

Linda was dedicated to giving the best care possible, taking far more time with patients than is the norm, and being extraordinarily patient and attentive. She did an enormous amount of follow-up, often way past office hours, taking time to contact pharmacies, writing letters for patients with disabilities, giving testimonies when necessary, and working late into the night or on her off days making sure that her patients’ medical charts where exact and detailed, so that any future need would be expedited. Her reviews were outstanding. It was said that she even had a cult following.

Though she passed away from cancer on Sunday April 30 at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center in Martinez, CA, she worked until March 31, the 20th anniversary of receiving her medical license. She practiced medicine as a clinician for 20 years at Hayward Family Care giving incredible care. Linda was so well loved by her patients.

Linda Deivert was a mentor to many. Whether it was new Medics at the Free Clinic, her staff at the practice, fellow practitioners, or her patients by guiding them to fulfill themselves in ways beyond managing their health. She was in particular a mentor to her children, inspiring them to achieve in school and in life, telling them that there is no reason to give up on anything or themselves. Even into adulthood she counseled them on all manner of things. Her own journey into and through her career and life was often used as an example.

Although Linda often put other people first she enjoyed life immensely. Family came first which meant birthdays and holidays were celebrated to the fullest. She was a sports fan, and collected antique furniture and stuffed animals. Linda loved swings and carousels and rides on the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. She had an encyclopedic knowledge of movies and actors, able to recall careers and plots in great detail.
That last talent was similar to her great memory of any detail of her family’s history and genealogy.

Linda is survived by her partner of 38 years John Binkov, her children Sean Deivert, Aaron Gaspard, and Mara Binkov-Stirton, daughter-in-law Dora Deivert, son-in-law Alix Stirton and grandchildren Ryan and Aidan Deivert. Linda’s family love her and hold all our memories dear. She was and is a major inspiration to us and to all the tens of thousands of patients she served.

The family wishes to give thanks to California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco as well as the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center in Martinez. Private arrangements have been made through Sunset View Cemetery in El Cerrito. A public memorial will take place this summer. Interested persons should contact John Binkov at Binkov@mindspring.com.