Linda Ann Gilmore

April 28, 1939 — May 22, 2025

Grand Junction, Colorado

Linda Gilmore, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2025. She was 86 years old. Linda spent almost 63 years married to her sweetheart, Dr. Richard (Dick) Gilmore Jr. They spent the last days of their lives sharing a room in the Hope West Hospice Care Center. Three days later, Dick passed away and they were reunited once again.

Linda is survived by their children, Dr. Shauna Gilmore of Centennial, Colorado, and Rick Gilmore (Debbie) of North Salt Lake, Utah; seven grandchildren (Cody, Remington [Kenzie], Regan, McKall, Riley [Paige], Rocky, and Magnolia [Sam]); and eight great grandchildren (Benson, Gwen, Daisy, Leo, Ivy, Teddy, Raleigh, and River).

Born in Grand Junction, Colorado, on April 28, 1939, at the original St. Mary’s Hospital. Linda was the daughter of Cecil Stanley and Barbara Ann (King) Haynie and sister of John Parley Haynie.

She excelled in everything she pursued, never getting a grade less than an “A.” She was crowned Job’s Daughters Honored Queen in 1956; became the first Head Girl at Grand Junction High School in 1957; and was the Class of 1957 valedictorian. Linda graduated from the University of Colorado School of Business with honors and degrees in accounting and business.

Linda met her lifelong sweetheart, Dick, in the fall of 1960 and their love never faded. They were married on June 17, 1962, in the First United Methodist Church of Grand Junction where it was standing room only. Her degrees immediately benefitted their family as she implemented new accounting systems and oversaw the business side of Dick and his father’s (Richard F. Gilmore, Sr., D.D.S.) dental practice. Linda joined the U.S. Bank of Grand Junction Board of Directors in 1974, becoming the first female bank board director in Western Colorado, and she served on the board for decades (which was ultimately acquired by Wells Fargo & Company).

In 1982, she obtained her real estate license and once again excelled in her field, securing countless awards including prestigious honors such as the RE/MAX Chairmans Club, Hall of Fame, and Lifetime Achievement Award. She also served on the Mesa County Economic Development Council, President of the Colorado Mesa Foundation, and Community Hospital Foundation Board.

Linda is cherished by her children, whom she drove her kids to swimming practice at 5:45 am for years. She cheered and supported them (along with Dick) at swim meets all over the country. She became a USA Swimming and CHSAA Swimming Official, and even coached the Grand Junction Dolphins swim team when needed (although she only knew how to do the sidestroke and never got her hair wet at the pool). She loved life and being active. Skiing was her happy place, always being one of the fastest skiers on the slopes. She skied and played competitive tennis into her 70’s, and could be found on the tennis court with her friends well into her 80’s. In the summer, she loved being out on her bike, either around town or on her favorite ride through Glenwood Canyon. She started playing golf when she married Dick and, of course, went on to win six club championships at Bookcliff Country Club.

Linda was a gracious host and a thankful receiver, always returning acts of kindness with a lovely, handwritten note. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her and will leave an everlasting impression on our hearts. Her life has inspired us to be grateful, give to others, and live life to the fullest.

A Celebration of Dick and Linda’s lives and the love they shared will be held on Saturday May 31, 2025, 2:00 pm, at the Bookcliff Country Club, 2730 G Rd, Grand Junction, Colorado. Their Celebration of Love will be held at the same venue where their wedding reception was held almost 63 years ago. Dessert bar and mingling will follow the service.

Burial services will be at Veterans Memorial Cemetery; 2830 Riverside Parkway; Grand Junction, Colorado, on June 2, 2025, at 3:00 pm.

Memorial contributions can be made to HopeWest or the Colorado Mesa University Foundation.