Linda Sharon Staley was born May 10, 1949 in Fort Wayne, IN, to Ward & Ellen Staley (Jr.), a GE master machinist and housewife. In 1951 the Air Force called the family to active duty, and her childhood was spent bouncing across postings from Sioux City, Iowa to Hickam AFB in pre-statehood Hawaii, through Massachusetts to Germany and France, finally settling in Lakewood in 1966. She graduated from Clover Park High School, then continued on to Pacific Lutheran University for a degree in Education, and spent her career working with children between first Fort Lewis' Main Youth Center and then Clover Park School District, where she worked as an elementary school para-educator and substitute teacher. In retirement she continued to volunteer in the classrooms of former colleagues.

Socially, Linda was a Girl Scout, joined the International Order of Rainbow for Girls while in Europe and grew out of that to join the Order of the Eastern Star. At the time of her passing she was Grand Representative to Maine for Grand Chapter of Washington.

Linda was preceded in death by parents Ward and Ellen, and brother Ward Staley III ("Butch"). She is survived by sister Leilani Staley, Butch's widow Cindy Staley, and nephews Timothy Totten and Guy Staley.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the members of Tacoma Chapter #126, Order of the Eastern Star, for performing the funeral service.