Linda Scott Lilles

Linda Scott Lilles, 77, passed peacefully on September 17, 2025, surrounded by family in Bakersfield, California. Linda was born on September 29, 1947, in Yakima, Washington to Harmon and Betty Scott. She spent much of her life in Washington and California, where she built a life centered around family and genealogy. She graduated from Pioneer High School in San Jose and attended San Jose State University where she earned her B.A. in Social Science and met David Louis Lilles. She married him on April 3, 1971, in San Jose, California and moved to Pullman, Washington later that year.
Linda taught genealogy courses through Pullman Adult Education and Pullman Parks Recreation while raising three children, Alex, Aimee, and Milena. Her main accomplishments were her children. During this time, she helped co-found the Whitman Genealogical Society and worked on various Oral History Projects and in the Oral History Office at Washington State University. When her husband died of colon cancer in 1992, Linda succeeded in passing legislation for teachers in Washington. In 1993, Bill 5351 was signed into law and ensured no disabled teacher in Washington had to survive until they received their first disability retirement to receive their full pension. Linda devoted her career to library service, working as a library technician in science and medical libraries at Washington State University and Stanford University.
Linda was a mother, grandmother, sister, and friend who deeply loved her family and genealogical research. She also had a passion for travel and enjoyed trips to England, France, Italy, and Spain. She is survived by a son, Alex P. Lilles of Pleasant Hill; a daughter, Milena M. Lilles of Bakersfield; a grand-daughter, Maia A. Craig of Bakersfield; and a brother, Ronald Scott, of Oroville. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, David L. Lilles and daughter Aimee E. Lilles. She will live on in the hearts of all who loved her.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday May 23rd, 2026, from 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM at Rockwood at Whitworth, 10322 N. Middleton Dr., Spokane, WA 99218.