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BORN
1949
DIED
2014
Linda Navarro Obituary
1949 ~ 2014
Linda Katheleen Navarro passed away on August 12, 2014 after a lengthy struggle with several debilitating illnesses. Linda was the much loved daughter of legendary jazz trumpeter, Theodore 'Fats' Navarro, of Key West, Florida, and Rena Clark, of Bellevue, Washington. Her father passed away in her infancy and Linda spent many of her childhood years in foster care. Linda found a loving family outside of the traditional structure and became an integral part of this family unit, creating decades of memories we will all cherish in her absence.
Linda highly valued justice. She put herself through university, earning her B.A. in Political Science, and graduated from the University of Washington School of Law in 1980, while raising her son. Linda clerked for Judge Charles Z. Smith and practiced law as a public defense attorney for the Associated Counsel for the Accused in Seattle for many years. She joined King County Superior Court Judge Michael J. Fox as his bailiff in 1991, working with him until her retirement in 2010.
Said Fox, "She was one of the best things about my career. Although she suffered much adversity in her own life, and her health and strength were always delicate, she put every ounce of energy she had into her work. She loved the drama of a well tried case. She could understand the humor and pathos that we see every day in the courtroom". Judge Fox and all the court system workers remember Linda with much affection and admiration.
Piercingly intelligent and passionate,
Linda stood up for the rights of all people throughout her life. We all benefited from her insightful, clarifying perspectives on poverty,
power and race. She gave her wise counsel and loving spirit to many in need. She is especially well remembered as a lifelong friend and advocate of the lesbian and gay community. Her life was immeasurably enriched through the many friendships she made at Tate Mason during the last years of her life.
Everyone who knew Linda extends their arms around her son, Amilcar Navarro, as he continues his journey. They were not only mother and son, but the sweetest of friends. A small, informal picnic was held August 16th at Madrona Beach with plans for a formal memorial at a later time.
Donations may be made in honor of Linda Navarro to the Mockingbird Society, dedicated to building a world-class foster care system: 2100 24th Avenue S, Suite 240, Seattle, WA 98144.
Sign Linda's on-line Guest Book at www.Legacy.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Linda Navarro
Sponsored by The Family.
Tye
August 18, 2022
See you on the other side dear friend and foster mom to me. I've reached out to your son, but never heard back. You made the world a better place and I learned SO much about life from you. Snohomish Tribal Member
Catherine
January 28, 2020
Wish I could talk to you one more time
Daphne Barbee-Wooten
October 25, 2015
I just found out Linda passed last year by reading the UWLaw magazine. I was her "mentor" in law school at Condon Hall. She was refreshing, a soft spoken fighter, who looked forward to legal practice so she could continue helping those in need. She talked about her life in foster care and her love for Amilcar. I wish we had stayed in touch. I and others will remember her
as the smiling soulful compassionate sister of Seattle!
October 8, 2014
To my sweet friend and my foster mom---I hope that Amilicar will remember me....we all will remember you with loving thoughts. (Colleen Williams---on FB)
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shelle finch
September 13, 2014
A long time ago I worked with linda at youth advocates she was a great and caring person amilcar u came to work with her and I remarried u on my hip as worked I remember u once said to me u were my mom before my Mon new how to. Be a mom I see she learned well and u are a wonderful person and a legacy to your mom
September 9, 2014
U R THE BEST,lINDA.THE WORLD HAS LOST A VERY SPECIAL LADY.
cARON bERRYSMITH
August 29, 2014
I also worked along side Linda at ACA, and remember our time together fondly. She was truly a kind, compassionate person with a huge heart that reached out to so many, including me. My life was blessed by Linda.
Judge Vicki Seitz
Donald Madsen
August 28, 2014
It was my pleasure to work alongside Linda as a staff attorney at Associated Counsel for the Accused. It was my further pleasure to be in Judge Fox's court when she was the bailiff. She was smart, funny hardworking and very capable as an attorney. I learned from her how to look at things from a different perspective. She helped me be a better lawyer.
A strength of hers was how much she cared about people and for her clients how non-judgmental she was. Linda was an effective lawyer because she could always figure out how to tell her client' story so the judge and jury could understand. This took effort and work, depending on who the judge was and who was on the jury. Her clients trusted her. She did not let them down. When Linda later became a bailiff in Superior Court she also excelled.
My sincere condolences Amilcar. I remember when your mom used to bring you to the office when you were a little kid. Her pride and love for you was so apparent. I will very much miss her warmth and smile. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Don Madsen
August 25, 2014
Farewell Linda, my friend and Law School classmate. Above all, I remember the conversations we had while studying for the Bar Exam.
Judge Ira Uhrig
Whatcom County Superior Court.
Linda's birthday, 2010
Bonnie Olson
August 24, 2014
Linda has left a great legacy in the hearts of so many who new and loved her. Full of compassion and determination, Linda helped many, many people. Our whole family will miss her greatly.
Bonnie Olson, daughter of Bunka, aunt to Amilcar, mother to Che, sister for life to Linda
Rachel Gross
August 24, 2014
I worked with Linda for many years at KCSC. She was kind and gentle but also told it like it was, usually with dry humor. I really enjoyed sharing adjacent chambers with Linda, where we were able to help each other out and she would brighten my day. My deepest sympathy to her son and Judge Fox.
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