Linda Lou Feerick
October 10, 1948 - July 21, 2006
Obituary
Linda was born Linda Lou Nye in Seattle, Washington on October 10, 1948. She grew up in the Alki Beach area of West Seattle and graduated from West Seattle High School, Class of 1966.
Linda is preceded in death by her mother, Juanita Knipfer Nye, her father, William Nye, and her sister Lillian.
Linda was survived by her husband, Pat, sons Matt and Danny, daughter-in-law, Tina, grandson, Seth, and her sister Irene. Her Family also includes mother-in-law, Shirley, sister-in-law, Linda, bother-in-law, Danny, several nieces and nephews, and her close friends, Jeanne Espe of 50 years, Linda Shank 30 years, and Julie Stucke 16 years.
With apologies to anyone we may leave out, we know that Linda would also like to acknowledge her good friends from work, Yvonne Johnson, Cheryl Davidson, and Elaine Johnson.
Linda was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, four years ago, fortunately, she was able to continue doing the things she loved, including taking trips to the Washington Coast, Hurricane Ridge, Mt. Rainier, and several stops at her favorite casino. She was always up for a walk to look for shells on the rocky side of Alki Beach, and lunch at Spuds. It was only the last few months that she needed to use portable oxygen consistently, and this July was her first stay in the hospital since she was diagnosed.
Linda loved Christmas, and last year she was concerned that she wouldn’t be well enough to decorate in December, so she decorated her apartment for the holiday months before Christmas. True to Linda’s style every available spot was adorned with trees, tinsel, lights, snowmen and Santa’s! Linda actually felt really healthy this last December, and one of her blessings was that she was able to enjoy her last Christmas with her family and friends, and she enjoyed her decorations so much that they are up to this day! Linda’s love of Christmas and all things fun, and bright, and pretty were Linda’s trademark. She loved to decorate cards and gifts with ribbons, bows, flowers, her distinct drawings, and even painted seashells. You always knew which packages Linda had wrapped! She was very artistic, and many of her beautiful and colorful drawings of flowers and butterflies were on display at her funeral service.
Linda’s service was held on July 24th, 2006. It was well attended by her family and friends and was a lovely celebration of her life.
The following tributes were read by Rev. Thomas O. Colby at her service:
Linda’s sister, Irene, wrote:
Linda, My Sister, My Friend.
This is a very sad and emotional day for me. The loss is so great that I feel like my heart could explode inside. A loss of a Sister runs deep.
I remember so much of our childhood together. Linda had such a gentle soul. I remember my Mom saying that when Linda was little, she could sit her outside in the yard and she could play by herself for hours. She would amuse herself with her toys and even little creatures crawling around.
Growing up, Linda was a quiet and gentle sister, probably because I was the loud one of us 3 girls.
We 3 sisters shared one big bedroom growing up. It is amazing to me now when I look back, we hardly had any sister fights. We just got along so well.
Linda and I were so lucky to have an older Sister. Lilly was always there for us and it meant everything to both of us.
I remember every 4th of July growing up. Our whole family would go , a block and a half to our Grandparents for a picnic. We would each get a new pail and shovel and after we ate we would go to the beach and play.
Alki Beach, where we grew up, was Linda’s favorite place to be, even up until the day she passed away. It would bring her such comfort and joy.
As Linda got her own place she would love to decorate for Christmas. When you walked into her place you would think you were in a Winter Wonderland. She truly loved Christmas.
Linda had a positive Spirit. She never complained about all the things that have happened in her life, even this disease that took her life. She always worried about the other person. She was always there to lend a helping hand to whomever needed it. Linda loved to laugh and would always be there to cheer a person up.
When our older sister, Lilly, took sick, Linda was there constantly to take care of her. It meant so much to me because I lived so far away.
I came out in January to have quality time with Linda. She was still able to get around and go outside. We had such a beautiful week together and talked about our childhood. I will never forget that week and will always cherish it.
Well Linda, it is time to say goodbye for now here on this earth, but I know you are with Mom, Dad, and Lilly, and I rejoice that you are in no more pain and suffering.
I know you are with me in spirit and like we have talked about, it is so true, you always feel the presence of your loved ones that have gone before you around you.
May God surround you with his love and compassion, and one day too it will be my time and we will all be together again as a family.
Love and God Bless you always,
Your Forever Sister,
Irene
Linda’s friend, Jeanne, wrote:
I selected this song from the movie Beaches, ”The wind beneath my wings” play in background, after Linda had mentioned to me the way she wanted to spend her final days, as in the last part of the movie.
Linda was my dear friend for 50 years.
We met when we were 7 years old……
In life we all have that one friend…. You know the one…. You can tell them anything, and they listen without judging, they comfort you maybe without knowing why. They make you feel tall, when the world around you weighs heavy on your shoulders. That was Linda for me.
We laughed together, we cried together, and we were silly together.
She shared so much with me, most precious, her wonderful family and friends, and she was always a part of my family too…..
She stood up for me at my wedding, and I for her when she was married.
I will surely miss my good friend, and best buddy……
I found this poem and thought it was suitable to dedicate to my friend……
A Poem for Linda:
God looked around his Garden, and found an empty place.
He then looked down upon his earth and saw your loving face.
He put his arms around you, and lifted you to rest.
His Garden must be beautiful, he always takes the best
He knew that you were suffering, he knew you were in pain.
And knew that you would never get well on earth again.
He saw your path was difficult, he closed your tired eyes,
He whispered to you ”Peace be Thine” and gave you wings to fly.
You left us precious memories, your love will be our guide,
You live on through all of us, your always by our side.
It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone.
For part of us went with you on the day God called you home.
Good-bye, old friend……… Its been an honor…………..
Linda’s sister-in-law, Linda, wrote:
Linda and Pat would have been married 22 years this coming October. They have shared many wonderful times together. They loved going to the Ocean and took many trips there, sometimes accompanied by Pat’s mother, Shirley, or Linda’s best friend, Jeanne. Pat also wanted to mention what good times they had going to their nephew, Scott’s, baseball games. Throughout his childhood and teenage years, they were there cheering him on – his biggest fans.
Linda was an important part of all of Pat’s family. She has been a devoted daughter-in-law to Shirley, and when her father-in-law, Bill, was alive she helped care for him, kept him company, and made him laugh. Linda has also played a vital role in Pat’s sister’s family, Linda and Danny, and their children and grandchildren. She loved her nieces and nephews – Scott, Shari, Terry and Debbie, and she was crazy about Terry and Debbie’s children – Brandon, Auston, and little Taylor. Officially, she was their great-aunt, but she was Aunt Linda to everyone and Aunt Linda was a favorite at family gatherings. She even became Aunt Linda to Scott’s girlfriend, Sophoeun. Linda’s niece, Shari, lives out of state and she is deeply saddened that her son, Lake, did not get to meet such a great ”great aunt”. Linda and Danny have always appreciated Linda’s contribution to the family as an aunt, but also as a sister and a friend. Linda and Linda especially shared the fun of going to the casino together
Linda also had a casino soul-mate with her friend, Julie and they shared many good times at Muckleshoot. Linda loved to play the penny and nickel slots and up to the day she died was saying that she was ready for a trip to the Muckleshoot Casino!
This kind of optimism and cheerfulness was typical of Linda’s last few months, when her illness escalated and it became clear she had little time left. More than likely, she understood that there would be no more trips to the Muckleshoot or holiday gatherings, but she put her loved ones at ease when they visited, entertaining them, joking with them, and ultimately leaving them with warm memories of Linda at her best.
We will all miss her and we will keep her memory alive and her spirit in our hearts.
Linda’s Husband, Pat, also spoke:
Pat said that throughout life you meet many people, and often the people you know or come in contact with, remind you of others, but, he said, no one has ever reminded him of Linda and Linda didn’t remind him of anyone else. she was truly unique and very special. Pat went on to say that everyone who met Linda loved her…. He especially noticed this during her hospital stay where so many people that worked there told her how happy and beautiful she was….. She made everyone smile and many laugh out loud.
Per Linda’s request, a few gathered near her childhood home on her beloved Alki Beach to celebrate her life. We know Linda’s spirit was with us that day and she was laughing with us as we tried to be discreet.
Thank you for joining in our celebration of Linda’s life.
Keep her in your heart, know that she loved you.
Remember her with joy.
A Special Note about a Special Day in Linda’s life:
June 20th, 2003, was a special day for Linda. This was a day that her son, Matt, who had been adopted, found Linda, and they were reunited. This was on Matt’s 27th birthday – what a gift for both of them. The gifts kept coming when Linda discovered she also had a little grandson, Seth. To have been able to spend the last three years of her life knowing Matt, his lovely wife, Tina, and her adorable Seth, has been a true joy and a blessing in Linda’s life. The timing of this, though bittersweet, was surely no accident.
My sincere sympathies are with all of Linda’s family and friends. This is a great loss. Linda’s joyful spirit will always be with us. I am Jeanne’s younger sister and knew Linda for as long as I can remember.
Aunt Linda was a beautiful, loving Lady, that I will miss very much. I will always remember her smiling face & her great laugh. God Bless,
Shari & Lake