A life celebration for Linda J. “Jeannie” Rios will take place this Friday.
A life celebration and funeral service will take place on Friday, Aug. 24, for Linda J. “Jeannie” Rios, who was shot to death last week by her estranged husband at her home on the 4000 block of Meridian St. in Holmesburg.
Haywood Neuby killed his wife last Friday morning before taking his life.
They were parents of two 4-year-old twin girls, Mila and Nyla, who were at home during the shootings.
Rios was 37 and the head of City Council’s human resources department.
The life celebration will begin at 9 a.m. at John F. Givnish funeral home, 10975 Academy Road. A funeral service will follow at noon. Burial is at Forest Hills Cemetery.
Fond memories of Rios can be shared at www.lifecelebration.com
Council President Darrell L. Clarke issued the following statement on the tragic death:
“Words cannot describe the heartbreak I feel today. Linda Rios was more than a dedicated public servant; she was a beloved colleague and friend to so many in City Council, she was a loving mother to two little girls, she was a counselor in whom everyone could confide.
“I am so sad and angry that she died this way. I will have more to say in the future about the role of guns in this tragedy, and the scourge of domestic violence, but for now I join my colleagues and all City Council staff in mourning this tremendous loss. It will take some time, but I’m going to try to remember Linda at her happiest — her beautiful smile and infectious joy as she carried those beautiful twins four years ago, never slowing her pace at work until nature forced her to do so. City Council is a family. We’re going to make sure Linda’s daughters know this, and that they have every opportunity to grow into the healthy, cherished adults Linda dreamed they would be.”
Clarke said that anyone in a violent or abusive relationship should call 911 if they are in immediate danger or the Women Against Abuse hotline at 866–723–3014 at any hour for free, confidential counseling.
Mayor Jim Kenney said counselors have been made available to Council staff.
“My entire administration is saddened by the news of the passing of Linda Rios,” Kenney said. “I had the privilege of working with Linda for years during my tenure on City Council and I knew her to be a dedicated public servant. My deepest thoughts and sympathies are with Linda’s family, Council President Clarke and his staff, and all of our colleagues at City Council.” ••
