Linda was born on April 2, 1945 in Chicago, Ill., to Edward and DeVota Payne. She received her associate’s degree in Nursing from Mesa Community College in 1981, and she worked as a nurse and hospital administrator before retiring from the Arizona Department of Health. On August 28, 1965, she married Wayne Ettenborough in Spokane, Washington. They raised a son and a daughter, Trevor and Bethany, in Tempe, Arizona.
Linda loved her family and friends and was known for being a sweet and gentle peacekeeper. She enjoyed spending time with ladies in Bible study and was an avid quilter. Linda was continually considering her next quilt and its recipient. In her youth and as an adult, Linda was known for her beautiful, soprano singing voice, and she continued to love music and singing throughout her life, especially enjoying gospel hymns.
Linda is preceded in death by her husband Wayne, her parents Edward and DeVota Payne, her older brother Edward Payne Jr., and her sister Judy Christine Payne. She is survived by her children Trevor Ettenborough and Bethany Cummins, and their spouses, Kelly Ettenborough and Lance Cummins, her grandchildren Jordan DeJeu and Ivy Ettenborough, her sisters Roxi Rupp and Gwen Garber, and her brothers Rafe Payne and Steve Payne.
A celebration of life will be held on Monday, November 9th at Christ's Church of the Valley, Midtown Campus (2005 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85016) at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to Compassion International would be appreciated.
In summer 2021, in Spokane, Washington, where she and Wayne met, they will be inurned together at Fairmount Memorial Park.
