On 27 February 2006, Smith died as a consequence of ovarian cancer at the age of 48. She had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer three-and-a-half years earlier but, not wanting to be thought of as a patient or a victim, she did not want people to know. Before she died she chose that her funeral be humanist and her memorial at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East, on 10 March, was dedicated to the British Humanist Association. Her life and work were honoured at the British Academy Television Awards in 2006. The first episode of Dawn French's "Girls Who Do: Comedy" was dedicated to the memory of Linda Smith. A tribute edition of "The News Quiz" featuring clips of Linda's appearances and personal memories of her from other panellists was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on 3 March 2006, hosted by Simon Hoggart.