Linda Rose Blayne

With profound sadness, we announce the unexpected passing of Linda Rose Blayne, who left us far too soon on July 23, 2025, at the age of 68. Born on December 2, 1956, in Omak, Washington, Linda graduated in 1975 from Omak HS as valedictorian and maintained her love of reading throughout her life. She met her beloved husband, Kelly Blayne, while they played guitar in the folk mass, and they were married right after high school. Linda then graduated from EWU and continued her education, earning a Master's in Speech Pathology from Gonzaga University. Her family moved to Medical Lake in 1989 to follow her career, where she worked for over 25 years as a Speech Pathologist at Lakeland Village with Washington's Department of Social and Health Services. At Lakeland, she compassionately gave voice, care, and dignity to those vulnerable individuals who needed it most. Linda celebrated 50 years of marriage with Kelly in June 2025 —a milestone that reflected the deep love and life they had built together. Together, they raised two children, Kristina (Jeff) and Justin (Kim), and found immeasurable joy in their two grandchildren, Cameron and Alyssa. Linda is also survived by her loving mother Lauretta, and her Aunt Lettie. She leaves behind four siblings: Maryanne (Mike), Frank (Sandy), Gloria (Randy) and Don (Jean), along with a large extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and many close friends. She was preceded in death by her father Don. Family meant everything, and friends quickly became family to “Lovely Linda.” She loved hosting and co-hosting with her daughter for holidays and celebrations (the more the merrier!) Her “bearded” potato chip chicken, strawberry pretzel salad, and cookie bars bordered on famous. She found joy in playing pinochle, poker, Wii, spoons, and Catch Phrase during gatherings, games that always resulted in laughter and fun. She sent people on frenzied dashes with her patented, side-to-side playing style in ping pong, an approach that left both her and her opponents chuckling uncontrollably. Although Linda passed on her not-incredible throwing skills to her daughter, she was still the #1 cheerleader for her family and friends. She never missed the kids’ games (even as we “kids” reached our 40s!), and she was always ready to help with a scoreboard or stat book in hand for softball, volleyball, tennis, and basketball. Through a lifetime supporting her beloved athletes, she became “Mama Blayne” or “Grandma” to many. In her spare time at home, Linda loved watching Hallmark movies and romantic comedies; she avoided the room when Judge Judy was on. Linda also enjoyed planning vacations and embraced her love for travel whenever the opportunity arose. She especially treasured cruises, trips to Disneyland, and musical show trips to Branson and Nashville. She enjoyed visiting places steeped in history like Washington D.C. and taking in national parks on road trips. The annual family/friend getaway to the Oregon coast during the Seaside volleyball tournament was a tradition that she looked forward to every year. Just recently, Linda and Kelly fulfilled a travel aspiration by “seeing the colors” on the Northeast coast in autumn of 2024. Any place with a slot machine also held a special place in her heart, including Las Vegas, to repeatedly watch her beloved Zags basketball team play at the WCC tournament. Linda spent her life caring for others. With a heart full of compassion and a quiet strength (not to mention extreme talent for organization), she positively impacted everyone she met. Linda was a caretaker through and through, always placing the needs of others above her own. She spent much of her final years caring for her mother and aunt. From the time she was a child, regularly fixing her little sister’s hair, to her final moments in the ER, where her last words were a request to the nurse to make sure her daughter was comfortable after being up all night, there are countless testaments of the care and selfless love she gave to others throughout her lifetime. Linda led a life that will forever live on as the example of how people should treat one another. The outpouring of love from those who knew her has been filled with stories of her kindness, gentleness, compassion, laughter, focus on family and friends, and steady support of all. Whether she had just met you or you were already part of the family, she made you feel loved and welcomed every time. Her absence is deeply felt, but her warmth, laughter, and boundless love will forever echo in the hearts of all who were privileged to know her. The family will hold an Open House Celebration of Life on Saturday, September 20th, from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Kristina and Jeff’s home. All who knew and loved Linda are welcome to come at any time during the open house to enjoy light refreshments, share memories, and honor the beautiful life she lived. We kindly request if you are able to attend, that you RSVP by texting Kelly, Kristina, Jeff, Justin, or Kim.

Linda Rose Blayne

December 2, 1956 - July 23, 2025