Linda Lislane A. Bruce passed away peacefully October 4 at Avow Hospice, surrounded by family and loving friends. Born in Brazil on September 25, 1942, she came with her husband Roberto to Naples in 2004 and joined her daughter, Maria Luisa (Lulu) Carter, to form the House of Gaia nonprofit, community-inclusive learning center. The mother/daughter team worked together as a labor of love to develop and nurture the center.

Lislane worked for more than nine years at Gaia. She was also a family psychologist for 30 years, serving the Latino community in our area, and a folk artist representing her heritage though her work with dolls. Her collection of 300-plus Brazilian Carnival dolls was part of an event that launched the Naples Botanical Garden’s Brazilian Garden in 2009.

Through her and Carter’s efforts, the center has grown to offer a wide variety of events, classes and workshops based on a curriculum of art and well-being that teach communication skills, peace, the value of service and the importance of kindness in everyday living.

Location: 1660 Trade Center Way, Ste. 1. To make a love donation to the center, call 239-272-6152 or visit HouseOfGaia.org.