Losing a close friend is never easy. My heart is heavy this morning as I continue to absorb the whole notion that my pal, Linda, isn't going to be talking to me anymore. It's hard to write about this subject. I've lost several girl friends over the last few decades and all of them bring me sadness when I think about it. Loraine....Linda....Shirley.....Susie....Sarah.....and now another Linda. Not caring one little bit for this part of life but of course, ain't one blessed thing I can do about it!
Linda Lee Gillett was born Oct. 30, 1943, in Oregon City, Oregon. Her family moved to Port Townsend when she was in the 3rd grade and we graduated in the same class in 1961. Twelve years later I would move back to P.T. and luckily, got hired at the medical clinic downtown as a secretary. Linda and Ruth Kvinsland both worked there too and I was thankful to get a job as I had been out of the work force since I married in 1964.
Working with four kids who needed a babysitter proved to be too much so I quit the clinic and opened up my own daycare business. In 1978 I got hired in the mill office and about six years later, Linda started her new job there, as well. We worked alongside each other until I retired in 2002 and she retired a few years later. During those years we had several adventures and attended too many parties to mention. Suffice it to say, we knew how to have a good time.
When I interviewed Linda for a chapter in my book 'The Alphabet of my Life', she told me her hobbies were doing crafts, reading, and gardening.The happiest day of her life was her wedding day and the one thing she was good at was taking naps. She also said if she could change one thing she did in life,it would be to not drink so much during the 70s. Her favorite movies were Breakfast at Tiffany's and Funny Girl. Her favorite TV shows were Boston Legal and Perry Mason. Favorite book was Gone with the Wind and favorite song was 'Theme from a Summer Place'. (also my favorite)
Below are a few of the pictures in my collection.....
Our 5th grade class. Linda is 2nd from the left in the front row and I'm 3rd from the left in the 2nd row.
Our 6th grade class and Linda and I are pretty much standing in the same spot!
One of my favorites of Linda as teenager with her sister, Jan, at Christmas time.
Girl friends at my 50th birthday party. Carol, Karen, Ruth, me, Linda,Doris, Mary
me, Linda, and Mary Norton at 7 Cedars casino where we often met for lunch
Working the fair booth as proud Redskin alumni -- Joanne, me,and Linda
One of our last casino lunches
Another group picture before we head to the casino
Linda decorated her house from top to bottom for the holidays
Taken at my daughter, Mary's wedding in 2008
Linda and I rode floats in two Rhody Parades. Once as girl scouts in the 1950s. Linda is on the left in the yellow dress and I'm sitting behind her in front of our troop leader, Anita Yantz, who is wearing a red dress.
Here we are again, decades later, decked out in red and white on the alumni float as the Redskin name is put to bed. Much to our dismay, I might add!
The last picture of me and Linda taken Dec. 6, just a few days before her death.
REST IN PEACE OLD FRIEND!
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