Linda Leotta Gibson

Ilwaco resident Linda L. Gibson, 61, died November 24, 2009 in Ilwaco following a brief battle with respiratory illness. Linda was born in Burley, Idaho on November 17, 1948, the daughter of Aldon and Lena Cooper. She grew up in Burley before moving to Redding, California where she graduated from Enterprise High School. Linda resided in Tacoma before moving to the Peninsula in the early 1990s. She was employed at Chinook Packing until a fire destroyed the building. For the past 9 years she worked as a cashier at Sid's Grocery in Seaview. There she was known as the "fruit snack lady" to all the kids who passed through check stand #1 with their families. Linda had been a member of the Mormon faith. She enjoyed crocheting, computer games, her grandchildren, dolphin collectibles, and "Lil Bear" her canine companion. She married William H. "Bill" Gibson on December 23, 1987 she theirs was a special bond of love and devotion. He died April 12, 2008. Linda is survived by her mother Lena Cooper of Portland, OR; mother-in-law Barbara Phillips of Ilwaco; brothers Richard (Marilyn) Cooper of Clackamas, OR and Eddie (Thaylene) Cooper of Vancouver, WA; brother-in-law Bob Gibson of Ilwaco; sisters Penny Harris (Dee Phillips) of Tigard, OR and Pixie Combs (Steve) of LaGrande, OR; daughters Brandi Nichols (Ed Winters) of Gardiner, MT, and Michelle Gibson (George Hinton) of Livingston, MT; son Kevin Nichols of Livingston, MT; grandsons Seth and Triston Gibson; grand daughter Starla Winters; and other members of her extended family. Graveside service will be held Saturday, December 5, 2009, 1:00 PM at Ilwaco Cemetery with a celebration reception following at Chinook Lutheran Church. Memorials may be made to the South Pacific County Humane Society or Harbors Home Health & Hospice in care of Penttila's Chapel by The Sea, PO Box 417, Long Beach, WA 98631. Her guestbook is available at www.penttilaschapel.com.