Linda Fay Hale

March 30, 1948 - September 26, 2022

Obituary

Linda Fay Bushnell Hebblewhite Hale

Linda Fay Bushnell Hebblewhite Hale passed on September 26, 2022 in Covington, WA.  She was born March 30, 1948 in Portland, Oregon.  She was adopted when she was 6 weeks old by Byron Oscar and Nellie Fay Bushnell joining one brother, Melvin who was 5 years old.  Byron and Nellie adopted another son, Stanley, in 1953 who was one year younger than Linda.  The five of them lived on Wagner Creek in Talent, Oregon until 1966.  Linda  attended all 12 years at Phoenix-Talent Schools and graduated from Phoenix High School in 1966.  She lived in Ashland, Oregon until 1973 and worked and studied at Southern Oregon University. Shortly afterward her mother Nellie died in a tragic accident in 1974.

After marrying Bob Hebblewhite in 1973, she immediately moved to Pentwater, Michigan where she supported the raising of three stepsons: Jon, Tod, and Ted.   Her desire to support the development of young people extended to hosting her nieces Amannda Schneider and Paaige Turner each summer as well as other young women who lived with her while they finished their high school education.  She said she learned a lot from every kid that lived with her. 

While in Pentwater, she pursued a number of professional opportunities. She was an owner of Wishing Well Grocery and Deli General Store from the years of 1977 through 1996 which was known for fish bait, cold beer and exceptional deli sandwiches.  She always shared the secret was the celery salt.  She created a home for her father, Byron Bushnell, next door to the store so that he could sweep the walks and visit with the customers.  Byron lived with Linda for 22 years until he passed in 2009.  While in Pentwater, she managed a very active Real Estate career and the marketing of Duna Vista Resorts community.  She was actively involved as the Secretary of Pentwater Chamber of Commerce, Pentwater Yacht Club Membership Chairman, Duna Vista Resorts, Pentwater Homecoming Parade Chairman, and Fall Festival Sunset Run Co-chairman. She loved Pentwater and the beach.  She considered herself a Michigander even when in October of 2000 she and Bob divorced and she relocated.

In June of 2001, she moved to the Seattle area to be closer to Mel so that he could continue to give her brotherly advice and share recipes with her sister-in-law Marilynn.  Mel, unintentionally, introduced her to Larry Hale her heart-love.  They were married in Longboat Key, Florida in February of 2004.  Linda deeply cherished her time with Larry and his three kids: Jeff, Cynthia and Darin.  As she said “Had we met in the 1970’s when we were young, it wouldn’t have been a good fit.  As it was, to meet and marry in our early 50’s was just so right.  It’s been a beautiful love story.”

In the Seattle area, she became a funeral professional with Bonney-Watson Funeral Homes utilizing her compassion and planning ability to support final decisions of others.

Throughout her life Linda felt an attachment to Doberman Pinchers.  She co-bred 5 AKC Champions and campaigned for three other Dobermans to earn their championships.  She as a longtime member of Doberman Pinscher Club of America, and for eleven years was a seated Officer of Puget Sound Doberman Pinscher Club, serving as President, Vice President, and Secretary.   She was Show Chairman for the Puget Sound Doberman Pinscher Club Specialties for 8 years.  She loved being the Show Chairman of that annual Premier Event.  Each year Linda would fill her mini-van with cages, blankets, chairs, food, and beverages heading to the event with a “let’s do this.”

Linda enjoyed sewing and cooking from-scratch meals and pies.  The food was not an end in itself, but as a way to share her love with others.  She welcomed every individual who showed up at her door to the table and would often say how the large extended families of both Byron Bushnell and Nellie Faye Loos taught her how to feel loved and to love others.   She put the legendary pickles, creamed peas, meatloaf on the table to show others how much she treasured her time with family and friends….the feeling is mutual.

I enjoyed my life.  I don’t think I’ll have too much of a bucket list left when I die.  I pretty much did what was important to me while I was here.  At least I tried to get it all done.  No regrets.

Funeral Service, 11:00 AM, Thursday, October 6, 2022 at Perl Funeral Home, 2100 Siskiyou Blvd, Medford, OR.  A graveside service will follow at 12:30 PM at the Sterns Wagner Creek Cemetery, Talent, OR.  A reception will immediately follow the graveside service at Paschal Winery and Vineyard, 1122 Suncrest Road, Talent, Oregon 97540.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Puget Sound Doberman Pinscher Club % Gail Hartley, Treasurer 20901 SE 379TH ST Auburn , WA 98092.  

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Aireanna Bushnell Baldwin
Aireanna Bushnell Baldwin
1 year ago

What a beautiful obituary. Linda was an amazing woman with a big heart who touched so many lives. I was one of the blessed young women who had the opportunity to live with Linda for two summers in Pentwater, Michigan. I still hear her today saying “Work Hard Play Hard!” I feel she truly lived by those words. I will miss you Aunt Linda. Love AC (nickname given to me by Aunt Linda) ❤️