Linda L. Anderson (1959 - 2024)

Our beloved Linda Anderson passed away peacefully on September 30th, 2024 from early-onset Alzheimer’s at Ciel Memory Care in Wenatchee, Washington. She had just turned 65 years old.

Linda was born in Bellingham, Washington, the second child of Glen and Marilyn Anderson. From the very beginning she was full of life and enthusiasm and it quickly became apparent that Glen and Marilyn had a spitfire on their hands. Linda’s infectious energy, natural warmth, and instinctive love of people made her undeniably magnetic to those around her. The phrase “light up a room” could never come close to doing justice to the impact of her presence.

Middle children never have it easy, and Linda was no exception. As a child she overcame a speech impediment so completely that those who knew her later in life had no idea she ever struggled with a stutter at all. This pattern of overcoming challenges with grace was a hallmark of who Linda was, repeating itself over and over again during her life.

Linda’s tenacity, dedication to improving herself, and commitment to always look forward proved to be qualities that propelled her to heights no one expected of her. Telling Linda she couldn’t do something would only ensure you’d later be reading about her successes.

After graduating Rogers High School in Auburn, Linda attended Washington State University. In the 1980s she began working in insurance sales – an area that proved a perfect fit for her personality and which became a springboard for the rest of her career. Her ability to build strong relationships, network, and make key introductions across industries eventually propelled her to Director at Robert Half International and ultimately to Managing Director and Vice President at Protiviti Global Business Consulting.

Linda was a cherished and beloved member of the Board of Directors dedicated to outreach at the The 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, where she was instrumental in leveraging her corporate network for fundraising and promotion of the arts. She often brought her children with her to shows, instilling in them a deep love for the theatre. To this day, no other place in Seattle reminds Linda’s children of their mother more than “The 5th.” Upon her retirement from the Board she was gifted a framed piece of the original ornate 1926 theatre curtain – a possession Linda and now her children treasure beyond words.

Linda pursued her passions the same way she pursued everything else – with complete enthusiasm. She loved running and competed in multiple half- and full marathons, as well as a triathlon, in the Northwest region. She was well aware of how blessed she was and spent a considerable amount of time and energy on mentoring and lifting up those coming up after her in all areas of life.

Her children loved her more than life itself and will forever smile through tears when someone tells them something they’ve heard countless times before: “You look just like your mother.”

Linda is survived by her three children, Matt Linden (39), Courtney Heins (36) and Emily Esser (33), sons-in-law Taylor Heins (37) and Thomas Esser (41), as well as two grandchildren: Jaxon (9), and Rhody (8). She is also survived by her mother, Marilyn Anderson (88), brother Kirk Anderson (66), and sister Paula Anderson (62). Linda will also be grieved by her partner, Steve Cochran (68) and dear friend Sandy Deboer (68).

A memorial service open to the public will be held at New Tacoma Cemetery in University Place on October 5th at 1:30pm. Burial services will be private. Charitable contributions in her honor can be made to the 5th Avenue Theatre at 5thavenue.org or the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.