Linda Lee Ellingboe, 72, passed from this earth into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ at Saint Anthony’s Hospital in Gig Harbor on Dec. 22.
A tribute to Linda’s life will be held at 2 p.m, Saturday, Jan. 14 at Grace Bible Church in Port Orchard, with a reception immediately following the service.
Linda was born in St. Louis to William and Edith Aston on March 21, 1944. She spent her early years living with her father in California before returning to Missouri as a teenager to live with her grandmother, “Nana.” When not with her grandmother, Linda spent a considerable amount of time being cared for and raised by her aunts and uncles when her father was away on travel.
At 16, Linda moved back to California. It was there that Linda met a handsome young man who became the love of her life, Thomas Ellingboe. Tom and Linda were married on April 6, 1963. After spending a couple of years of traveling around sunny California as newlyweds, Tom and Linda welcomed their first child, Martin. Then, after moving back to Tom’s home state of Washington, the young family welcomed two daughters to the family, Trina and Kristen.
Deeply devoted to being a mother, Linda chose to forgo her own professional aspirations and remain home to raise her children on a full-time basis. Linda loved and adored being a mom. She was full of laughter and silliness, loved all kinds of music and so very much loved listening to her husband play the guitar and sing.
Linda was a fantastic cook and an engaging conversationalist who enjoyed entertaining family and friends in her home. It was often said by her children that Linda “never knew a stranger.” She could often be found looking through pictures of family and friends for hours while engaged in her hobby of scrapbooking.
Everyone who knew Linda would agree that her greatest joy was being a grandmother. She was never hesitant to take an opportunity to watch or care for any of her beloved grandchildren at any given moment. In fact, it wasn’t uncommon to find Linda among a pile of children’s toys laughing and playing with any, or if she were to have her way, all of her grandkids at any given time.
Throughout her life, Linda was staunch in her unrelenting faith in God and his blessings, and she enjoyed serving as a deaconess and member of Grace Bible Church for many years.
After battling illness and health difficulties for several years, Linda passed away peacefully and comfortably while listening to recordings of her husband singing. She is now once again with Tom in the presence of the Lord, where the two of them, once again united, watch over their loved ones with smiles and protective guidance.
Linda is preceded in death by her grandmother, her father and mother, and her loving husband Tom. Linda is survived by her son Martin (Lisa), daughters Trina (Eric) and Kristen (Jim), grandchildren Tyler, Alex, Jamie, Alyssa and Austin, brothers Mike, Roger, Danny and Tom, and step-daughters Beth, Darla and their families.
