Linda Kay Kirschman

Linda Kay Kirschman (Carlson) passed away on August 21, 2022, in the home she and her husband built and loved, she was 78 years old. Linda was one of six daughters born to Rose and Ted Carlson. She graduated from Mount Vernon High School, class of 1962. Shortly after High School, Linda had three children, John, Shelley, and Sarah, with her first husband, George. In 1976, while out with a friend at the Mount Vernon Cafe, she met the love of her life, James (Jim) Kirschman. It was love at first sight and later, on August 17th, 1977, they married while on vacation in Reno, Nevada. The two of them had a love like no other and built a wonderful life together. They celebrated their 45th anniversary just days before her passing.

In 1973, Linda began her career at Skagit State Bank. She worked in both the collateral department and the loans processing department. She started at the Westside branch, then moved to the downtown branch and eventually finished out her career in the Burlington office. She enjoyed having her grandkids come visit her and made many lifelong friends during her time here. She retired from Skagit State Bank in 2008, after 35 years.

Linda loved to spend time with family, especially her grandchildren. She was a very proud and active grandma, attending numerous baseball games, football games, basketball games, soccer games, and many, many school functions. She even helped coach her granddaughter's softball team. She enjoyed having them all over for sleepovers and always had a fudgsicle, sprite, or tv dinner waiting for them. She was exceptionally proud when she became a great grandma, many times over. She thought the world of her grandbabies and great grandbabies and left a huge impact on all of their lives.

Linda had a huge love for animals. Her and her husband, Jim, raised and bred thoroughbred horses, which was a passion of hers. They raised many horses together, which included 2 leading stakes horses of Washington, Name for Norm, in 1994, and For the Children, in 1992. Linda and Jim also had many race horses of their own. Her and Jim could often be found at Longacres or Emerald Downs, usually with friends or family in tow, enjoying the races. She loved to volunteer as a dog walker at the Skagit County Humane Society, helped with their auctions, and had many rescue dogs and cats over the years. Linda was such a lover of living things that she would pick a spider up with her bare hands to take it outside and release it, something her children and grandchildren will always remember.

Linda was very active with sports throughout her life, participating for many years in softball, volleyball, bowling and golfing. She was also an active runner. She competed in a few shorter runs and even a couple triathlons. In her later years, you could routinely see her walking down her street, sometimes backwards, with a weighted vest, or rocks in her hands, trying to stay healthy and in shape. She also enjoyed the occasional poker game and lunches at the casino.

Linda had a wonderful sense of humor, often playing pranks on her grandkids and always making everyone laugh. She was a very strong, but humble person. She was also very kind and generous. She never hesitated to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. She was braver than she gave herself credit for and inspired many who loved her. She was truly beautiful inside and out and will be deeply missed by so, so many.

Linda is survived by her beloved husband, Jim Kirschman, daughters, Shelley Cassidy and Sarah Anderson (Joey), step son, Pat Kirschman (Leena), and step daughters, Laura Kirschman Nunn (Tom) and Gloria Damoiseaux, 11 grandchildren, Nicole, Rachael, Kyle, Shannon, Alyssa, Garrett, Jake, Abby, Ava, Mason and Braxton, 14 great grandchildren, Julian, Carson, Adrienne, Isobel, Rowan, Skye, Jackson, Rhylee, Aliyah, Daevien, Everly, Maverick, Quinton, and Maclane,  and sister, Vicki Archer. Linda is preceded in death by her son, John Cassidy, mother, Rose Carlson, father, Ted Carlson, sister, Peggy Dunn, sister, Donna Buse, sister, Bonnie Spragle, and sister, Glenda Snyder.

There will be a graveside burial held on August 29th, 2022 at 1:00 PM at Hawthorne Funeral Home, immediately followed by a celebration of life at the Sedro Woolley Community Center, 703 Pacific Street Sedro Woolley, WA 98284 at 3:00 PM, open to all friends and family. Please join us to celebrate the life of our beautiful wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Food and beverages will be provided.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of Skagit Valley.