It is with great sadness to announce the passing of Linda L. Mowrey, at her home in Fortuna on February 3, 2022. She had a year-long battle with diffuse B cell lymphoma.

Born in San Jose in April 1954, Linda was a lifelong resident of California, living mostly in Northern Mendocino and Humboldt Counties. Linda was raised by her grandparents Jim and Madeline Breedlove in the “house on the hill” between Leggett and Laytonville. She spent hours playing with her cousins in the woods and meadows around their home. Linda attended Leggett Valley School first grade through high school, she was one of 13 graduates in the Class of 1972.

While in high school, Linda met the love of her life, Mark. They were married in September 1974 after three years of dating. Linda became a military wife when Mark joined the US Coast Guard in 1975 and the adventure really began. Linda and Mark had two sons while in the Coast Guard, Don in 1976 and Jim in 1978. They eventually returned to Humboldt County where they made their home in Fortuna.

When not involved with the boys’ activities, Linda enjoyed cooking and baking (that she learned from her grandmother), sewing, needle crafts, stenciling, gardening and genealogy. For a time she made and sold candles as a business. Linda was a 14-year volunteer and committee member for the Eureka Relay for Life. Linda worked a variety of jobs beginning with the Leggett Drive-thru-Tree, Redwood Memorial Hospital, Gingerbread Mansion as the Inn-Sitter, C. Crane Company, American Cancer Society and finally retired from the Humboldt County District Attorney’s office.

Linda loved spending time with her family and friends at the Island Mountain, Dogwood Ranch. A favorite activity there was playing rummy with her mother-in-law Betty, sister in-law Georgie and friend Carrie. She enjoyed other outdoor activities, like backpacking in the Marble Mountains and camping in Yosemite. She made a gallant attempt at climbing Half Dome, it was just too much for her.

For their 25th wedding anniversary, Linda and Mark traveled by train to Washington, D.C. There they spent a week sightseeing, then for two weeks traveled by car into New England and Nantucket seeing the fall colors and local lighthouses. Her very favorite vacation spot, though, was Hawaii and Kauai.

Several years ago, Linda started the Mowrey Family Breakfast that was held annually on Christmas Eve morning at the Samoa Cookhouse. This gathering will be part of her legacy.

In 2005, Linda’s sister-in-law Georgie passed away, Linda was devastated. Linda told us that she had a dream about Georgie. In it, they had a conversation, Linda asked Georgie, “do you hear me when I talk to you? Georgie replied, “No, but I feel it when you think of me.” So hug your loved ones often and if you can’t hug them, think of them, maybe they’ll feel it.

Linda was preceded in death by her grand parents, Jim and Madeline Breedlove, her mother Peggy Thompson, aunt Betty Harris, Father Dennis Lankford, Sister-in-law Georgie Mowrey, in-laws Don and Betty Mowrey and cousin Jim Stickney. Linda is survived by her husband of 47 years, Mark Mowrey, son’s Don (Mary), Jim (Angela), Grand children, Mariah Miller, Meghan Mowrey, Greg Mowrey, Kyler Hill, Kalebh Hill, Caleb Mowrey and Jackson Mowrey. Brother-in-Law Dan Mowrey (Debo), Cousins Jerry Stickney (Sheila), Judy Thode (Carl). Father in-law Bill Barton. Nieces and Nephews, Madeline Thode, Megan Thode Weston Stickney, Josh Talbot. Half brother Dennis Lankford.

The family would like to thank Dr. Kate Estlin, her staff and other physicians at Ikigai Physician Group in Fortuna for the excellent and very personal care given to Linda during her illness.

Per Linda’s request she has been cremated and her ashes will be spread. Donations in her memory can be made to Hospice of Humboldt 3327 Timber Fall Ct, Eureka 95503, (707) 445-8443.

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