Linda F. Willingham

Pacific Grove - Linda F. Willingham, a longtime resident of Turlock, passed away at Community Hospital in Monterey on November 21. A native of San Antonio, Texas, she was a graduate of Livingston High School, Class of 1968, Modesto Junior College and received her BS Degree from CSU Stanislaus. Before retiring to Pacific Grove in 2011, Linda had a twenty-nine year career as an accountant, most recently with Sutter Memorial Hospital in Modesto.

Linda found tremendous joy in spending time with family and friends and always made time for her siblings, as well as her many nieces and nephews and their children. She was like a mother to many of them and they will miss her greatly. Linda enjoyed the outdoors, particularly walking along the ocean near her home. Prior to moving to Pacific Grove, she could be found nearly every evening walking with her canine family members through the almond orchards surrounding her Turlock home. She recognized the importance of volunteerism and recently began working as a Docent at the Pt. Pinos Lighthouse. Linda was an avid reader and was known by family and friends for her fabulous baking skills. In fact, many of them would tell you she managed to perfect the chocolate chip cookie.

Linda is survived by Wendell, her husband of 37 years; her siblings, Wayne (D.J.) Collins of Turlock, Joseph "Andy" Collins of Merced, and Teresa (Chip) Red of Merced; many nieces and nephews; several relatives in Texas; and her canine companion, Garth. She was preceded in death by her parents, Claude and Mary Collins and her brother, Claude "Butch" Collins.

A celebration of Linda's life will take place on Sunday, December 16th at 2:00 pm at the VFW Post 5059 located at 1405 E. Linwood Ave. in Turlock. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Animal Friends Rescue Project, 560 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove, CA 93950 are suggested.