Linda Dooley Mashburne

Linda grew up in Grand Prairie, Texas, alongside her brother, Joe Dooley. She graduated from Grand Prairie High School in 1966 and went on to attend Arlington State College, now the University of Texas at Arlington. She spent 35 years with American Airlines at DFW Airport, where she worked in reservations, baggage service, as a gate agent, in the Admirals Club, and as an Operational Coordinator. She retired on September 5, 2008. Her career allowed her to travel extensively around the world, and she also lived in Kentucky and Germany. She was highly admired by her colleagues.

Above all, Linda was an amazing mother and grandmother. She had an open heart and cared deeply about the world, its people, and its animals. She was a bright light to everyone who knew her. She loved her family fiercely, including her bonus sons and daughters, and she was the biggest cheerleader for all of them, delighting in anything they created, did, or believed in. She rarely got into a fight, and she always took care of those she loved.

Linda could talk to anyone, and she had friends everywhere. Her childlike wonder and young spirit brightened the world around her. She had empathy for everyone, and she loved her grandchildren with her whole heart.

She was a natural collector, with a love for jewelry, glassware, family heirloom furniture, and books. She loved estate sales and antiques, road trips, and traveling, and she was always on a mission to find treasure in unexpected places. She loved to cook, and on Sundays you could find her watching the Cowboys and other football games.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Herald and Lillie Dooley, and her former partner, David Samow.

She is survived by her husband, Ted Mashburne; her daughter, Carley Blackman-Yonkman, and her husband, James Yonkman; her son, Levi Blackman, and his wife, Joey, and daughter, Lillian; her stepdaughters, Tracey Chandos and Jennifer Laifa, and their families; her stepsons, Shawn Mashburne and his sons, Lucas and Riley, and Cris Mashburne and his children; and many other extended family members and dear friends.

A memorial service will be held on November 7 at 2:00 p.m. at Moore Bowen Road Funeral Home, 4216 S. Bowen Road, Arlington, Texas 76016.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Linda’s name to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

May her beautiful spirit live on in all who knew and loved her.