Myrl Beck May 2, 2013

Hi, Linda: St. Joes has opened a new cancer center; I plan to volunteer there when I get too old to traipse down to Fred Hutch. I visited it today; it has just opened and is splendid. I subscribed to a memorial stone. It says "Linda & Myrl, . March 19, 1982" - and then at the bottom, "Always". It sits next to a beautiful maple tree. It is lovely. That makes the third stone to our marriage scattered around Bellingham; I will visit them all for as long as I can. The family is throwing me a big birthday party, for my 80th. We all wish you could be there, especially me. I love you. Myrl

Lynda Berendsen Aug 15, 2011

This is our 6th or 7th year to come to Bellingham from Kansas to take our boat out for a month's cruise. It is the first year Linda has not been here to greet us and go with us on a short trip. We had some exciting trips with Myrl and Linda. One was a terrifying trip across The Strait of Georgia with very heavy winds and quite high waves. I was terrified and holding on for dear life. There was Linda taking a video of Pieter driving through the waves. We miss you Linda!

Carolyn Joyce Aug 30 2013

Dearest Sister, I wish you were here so we could laugh and celebrate together. I'm so lucky we are sisters. I have many wonderful memories to warm my heart, but I miss you always.

Lynda Berendsen Aug 15, 2011

This is our 6th or 7th year to come to Bellingham from Kansas to take our boat out for a month's cruise. It is the first year Linda has not been here to greet us and go with us on a short trip. We had some exciting trips with Myrl and Linda. One was a terrifying trip across The Strait of Georgia with very heavy winds and quite high waves. I was terrified and holding on for dear life. There was Linda taking a video of Pieter driving trough the waves. We miss you Linda!

Sally B. Clough June 3, 2011

I started my career at St Joes in 1989. Linda was lovely, fun, hardworking and compassionate. We often ended up working late and enjoying each other’s company while catching up on the days chores.
I stayed at the south campus when Linda moved to the main campus. I didn't get to see her as much but in 2008 I had a long awaited baby and before I knew it there she was at all the way out to Ferndale at my door bearing good will and gifts. She was so happy for me and held my sweet baby close to her breast. I'll never forget how sweet that was that she made time for us. She knew how important a life event that was for me and wanted to help me celebrate. I love her very much and Myrl we will think of you every day and send you all our strength. Love you both, Sally Clough, Woody and Roy Karrer.

Carolyn Joyce September 12, 2011

Dear Linda,

I had a yard sale to sell your beautiful quilt fabric and we made $925 for the fight against ovarian cancer! Wow--the good from you just keeps spreading. Think of all the dozens of quilts your fabric will now be a part of. Myrl was in Eureka for the event and we both loved watching the excitement of quilters buying your gorgeous fabric. My friend Martha was a tremendous help with the sale as were others who donated things. I couldn't let all the fabric go, and fell in love with many of the pieces, so now I have my own stash of your fabric and one of these days I'll make a quilt in your honor. 

I miss you so much. Love, Carolyn

Rebecca Joyce July 19, 2011

Aunt Linda was a wonderful aunt to me - she made me feel loved and appreciated. When I had my children she really enjoyed her grandnephews. She made them colorful quilts with frogs, cows, and African animals and they are sleeping with their quilts at this moment. I last saw her when she was in Kalamazoo two autumns ago. She saw that the boys were jumping in a big pile of yellow maple leaves in the front yard and she jumped in the leaves with a huge smile on her face. She stayed in the leaves a while, savoring the moment. Then, she and Uncle Myrl went trick-or-treating with the boys around our neighborhood. It was a great day. I also picture her on Heron Island for our family reunion reading books to my boys in the cottage. I have so many good memories of Aunt Linda and I will miss her so much

Myrl Beck July 9, 2011

Hi, Linda: Last night and this morning they held the annual Relay for Life. I got up early and walked a few laps. There were quite a few luminaria dedicated to you, from several different sources. A few were still burning. I had intended to make a donation to the American Cancer Society, but their booth was closed - so I'll give it to Fred Hutch instead. 

God, how I miss you this morning!

Myrl

Bunny Schneider July 24, 2011

So here we all are - the last 'good-bye'. Until the next 'Hello', somewhere, sometime unknown. I imagine Linda collecting her favorite colors from the Universe, lovingly wrapping them around new and old friends. Still creating love in her own way. They say we leave this life when our work is done. I don't know what Linda's 'work' was to accomplish, it doesn't matter. But I do know, good job, well done Linda! Bon Voyage! Happy Journey! Until we meet again...

Raelyn Joyce July 25, 2011

Raelyn Joyce Jun 25, 2011 at 7:56:04 PM I feel deep gratitude for having had Linda as my sister-in-law. I'm reminded of her everywhere I look in my home, for as Kristin Beck pointed out, she loved gift-giving and finding just the right gift for someone. The earrings I wore two days ago, the gourd calendar I checked this morning, the soft woven set of baskets from small to large from Mexico, the handsome fabric bag I take on trips, and the elegant but slightly worn quilted runner on our dining table came from Linda (and Myrl). She made our three young grandsons small, brightly colored quilts that they cuddle with every night. Richard, her brother, and I first visited her when she was living in San Mateo, California, and we visited her, later with our young children, in almost every place she lived in after that, following her to Bellingham, Washington, where she made her home with Myrl. She was always welcoming and hospitable, and treated us with what Myrl described as her characteristic "unfailing kindness." The last time I saw her was last December, after Richard and I spent a wonderful Christmas with her and Myrl. She was feeling relatively well and was enjoying food again then. The soft, warm, tight embrace she gave when we said goodbye I remember and cherish!  At her mother's memorial service in Kalamazoo, Linda, speaking about her mom, said that her mom taught her children the Golden Rule. Linda, as well as any person I know, lived the Golden Rule. Thank you, Myrl and Carolyn, for your devoted. loving care of Linda, especially when we couldn't be there to help.

Sue Broadhurst July 27, 2011

I miss her terribly. She made two gorgeous quilts for my kids and they are in my room b/c I can't help stare at them... forever. Linda helped me when I was a new grad, and landed my first job at St. Joe's. We became friends over books, laughs, meals, walks and women's group. She is wonderful and will live in me as I strive to be as kind, gentle, persistent, strong, and artistic as she was! Myrl is right, the earth is a darker place now without her.

Olivia Kelly August 5, 2011

My grandma was a truly wonderful woman. The world would be a much happier place if there were more people like her! I can't imagine that she was ever disliked by anyone that knew her. I was sad I wasn't able to come down for her celebration but I am thankful I was able to see her in March, though it was brief. My
memories of her are all happy ones and I know I'll always cherish them. I've been wearing the Ankh bracelet and one of her rings that my mom and sister brought back. I think of her every time I look at them and am reminded of her selflessness and kind attitude so that I will work to strengthen those qualities in my own life. She was incredibly strong, never complaining or feeling sorry for herself; it was inspiring to be around her. She is a
great role model!
I love you Grandma and I'll miss discussing the latest gossip while conquering tricky puzzles with you! You left only a positive mark on the hearts you've touched and we are all thankful for it.

-Livy

Marsha Strayer July 21 2011

Among my most treasured memories from working at Fourth Corner Quilts are the wonderful friends I met there. Through working with Florence on Saturdays, I was honored to get to know her dear friend, Linda. While we spent only short periods of time together, I grew to love and respect Linda and to admire her for her many talents, engaging and fun-loving personality, soulfulness and inspiring bravery. Like Myrl, I recently participated in my new hometown's Relay for Life here in Orange County, CA, which included a donation to cancer research and luminary in her memory. Just my own small way of reminding Linda, Myrl, Carolyn and all Linda's family and friends that she is loved and missed by people most of them scarcely knew. As family and friends gather this weekend in celebration of Linda's rich life, my thoughts are of Linda and each of you -- fond memories of this special lady are long-lasting and far-reaching.

Florence DiJulio July 23, 2011

In working to add photographs and captions to Linda's "Quilting Legacy" album, I began to reflect on her personal legacy: her capacity for friendship. She accepted us for who we are. She was empathic and had a way of being with others that made us feel valued, cared for, and respected. She shared freely of herself. She was kind. She possessed a wisdom far beyond her years. I could count on her to tell me what I needed to hear. And, sometimes I actually sought out her opinion for that very reason! Linda had a refinement to her; she was always polite and well-spoken. How do I encapsulate over 20 years of friendship? Not easily. We shared a love of quilting, travel, our respective hospital careers, reading, an occasional movie, and more. These interests led to retreats, the 2002 quilt tour to Amish country in Pennsylvania, quilt shop hops, guild activities, margueritas at El Gitano after a particularly difficult day at work, and visits to Borrego Springs where she showed me the camel teeth she found in Anza Borrego Desert State Park (still in situ, of course). I cherish the memories of our times together. She is greatly missed. My heartfelt condolences to Myrl, Carolyn, the extended family and all her other friends.

Ann Bjorseth November 27, 2011

I heard the news this week (November 23, 2011) and I feel incredibly sad; such a loss. 

I've been thinking about her, remembering things. Amazing what gets stored away about important people! I met her in, I think, 1976, at Whatcom Community College. I recognized her as a kindred spirit, and we had wonderful times together, going to movies and hanging out. Once, we figured out a way to see five movies in one day. Another time, we saw the first Rocky movie three times in a row, loving the opening music and enjoying every moment. Another time, we saw all three performances of the Twyla Tharp dance company in Seattle. We had a contest every year to guess the winners at the Oscars; of course, she won every time. And, as Myrl said, she remembered--and she cared about--the movies in a way that was unique and always fun.

Linda was creative, funny, compassionate, smart, tenacious, and willing. Beautiful, truly. She made a special contribution to my life, as I can see that she did for so many people on this site.

Elsie Rodney July 21, 2011

What a lovely tribute to Linda. I learned things about my cousin that I never knew. I remember her tobacco picking summers and how good she was at empathizing with her fellow workers (migrants). She was an incredible human being and I spent way too little time with her.
Love to all the family; Elsie

Kristen Beck May 25, 2011

I agree that Linda was lots of fun. I will fondly remember her child-like enthusiasm for all gift-giving occasions. I can't open presents without thinking of Linda excitedly exclaiming, "Presents! Preeeeesents!" While the rest of us were getting old and tired of gift-giving, she still had great enthusiasm for it and had a talent for getting people the right gift. We will miss you Linda, but are glad that the last few months of struggle and suffering are over. I envision you at peace, flying over the southern California desert in the sunshine, on your magic quilt.

Karen Beck, May 25, 2011

Linda was my stepmother but also a great friend. One of the funniest people I know. I'll miss her very much.

Phil and Margo Montague May 27, 2011

Now, more than ever, we'll treasure the magnificent quilt that Linda so generously gave us. And we'll remember her wonderfully kind heart, her remarkable courage and good spirits in confronting her terrible illness.

Posted by Kimber Lantgon, May 27, 2011

The last time I saw Linda was at the oncology clinic. As usual, she was so kind and funny, such a great soul.

Posted by Linda Kelly, May 27, 2011

Dear Linda,
Thank you for being such a wonderful partner for my dad, a great friend and step-mom to me and a loving grandma to my daughters. I only wish we had lived closer and had more time together. We will cherish the memories of the time we did have.
Love, Linda K

Posted by Carolyn Joyce, July 7, 2011

I wish everyone could have a sister like Linda. She was always there for me--sharing laughter, tears, and endless conversations. Our bond grew deeper and stronger each year and when she got sick, we made even more time for each other. I have a lifetime of memories stored in my heart, but my future is forever changed without her supportive love. Linda Hope, my sweet sister, I will miss and love you forever.

Posted by Maury Schwartz on May 29, 2011

Some years ago I met Linda coming off her shift at St. Jo as I was going in to see my wife Norma. We chatted for a few moments, and as we parted I felt better. That is the way Linda was.