My Mom

My sweet mother passed away earlier this month. 

My father wrote a wonderful obituary. 

(I omitted some names since this is a public blog.) 

Linda 

8/1/1951 ~ 9/1/2012 

 Blessed is the influence of one true, loving human soul on another. -Eliot 

Linda passed away Saturday Morning, September 1, 2012, surrounded by her family. She is survived by her husband; her three daughters (and their spouses); her six grandkids (whom she cherished with her deepest joys); her parents and her six siblings (and their spouses); and by many nieces and nephews that she loved dearly.

 As a young mother of three in Southern California Linda served as PTA President, Primary President, and Girl Scout leader (all at the same time). Later she served as Young Women's President, and served in various capacities in Young Women, Primary, and Relief Society. She had a bucket-load of "pixie dust" dropped on her during a 5-year period Jim worked for The Disney Company, and she infused that love for all things Mickey into her children. Linda attended Highland High and graduated from Wasatch High in 1969. She graduated from BYU in 1973 with a B.A. in Speech Pathology, and a minor in Elementary Education (and was just a few hours shy of earning her Masters Degree). Starting in 1991, she co-established and co-administered the network of 50 The UPS Stores in Utah, and co-owned 2 stores.

 Her passing followed a 14-year long battle with breast cancer that metastasized to her liver. She endured multiple directly and indirectly-related surgeries, radiation treatment, and 7 different series of chemotherapy treatments. She learned to give her future to the Lord, trusted Him to decide her time in this life, and looked forward to the time that would take her Home. At the same time she lived her life with a driving passion to make the most of each day and each relationship. She loved and served others freely and broadly. She developed a passion for travel that took her to Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, China, Russia, the Baltic States, and 42 of the United States.

She shared the challenges and lessons of her life in a presentation at BYU's Women's Conference in May 2010. "I truly believe this with all my heart and I believe from experience, that all things are in God's hands; and we all will come to a point where we must put our trust and love in Him, if we are to successfully finish our journey here on Earth…. Life is a huge blessing; one we probably will never fully comprehend. But while it entails struggles, suffering, and pain for us and our loved ones, its blessings are worth treasuring for as long as life is given to us."

Linda often expressed her admiration and love for her doctor, and friend, Dr. Kent DiFiore, and appreciation for the compassionate care-givers at Utah Cancer Specialists. Linda had a deep love for many special personal and ward friends who buoyed her up throughout her life, and took her love and service back in return. But especially she loved her family on whom she poured out her unique brand of love and fun. She taught us love, and love is her legacy.