Linda Wilbur

Linda Lousie Wilbur was born on June 24, 1955, in Inglewood, California. She passed away on December 23, 2023, in Nevada City, California.

Linda grew up in Inglewood with her parents, Russ and Vicky Parmenter, as well as her brother Bob. Both of her parents were elementary school teachers. Growing up, Linda enjoyed the several kitties that her family had. A strong Christian faith was important in Linda's family. The family attended The Church of the Open Door in Los Angeles, California, throughout her childhood and youth. Linda and Bob were very active in their youth group and had happy memories going on the trips. Linda graduated from San Marino High School in 1973. She attended Biola University for several years but graduated from CSU LA with a bachelor's degree in liberal arts in 1977.

During Linda's time in college, she started attending Grace Community Church. This is where she met Steven Wilbur. Steve had finished dental school but decided he wanted to become a doctor instead. Steve and Linda dated for a couple of years and then were married on December 27, 1977. Linda and Steve moved to Glendale, California, and Linda began her career at Security Pacific National Bank in downtown Los Angeles. She spent the next ten years working there and held several positions, including vice president. At the end of the ten-year period, Steve had finished medical school as well as a medical fellowship and was ready to start his career as an anesthesiologist. At the same time, Linda and Steve decided it was time to start a family. On January 2, 1989, twins were welcomed into the Wilbur family. A son named Michael and a daughter named Michelle. Soon after, Steve got a position on staff at Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital in Grass Valley, California.

Linda began a new chapter in her life as a mother of twins in a new city 400 miles away from family and friends. The first few years were hard, but Linda persevered and was overjoyed when her parents relocated from Southern California to just around the corner from her. Linda spent the next several years being a loving and caring mother. After a difficult period, Linda and Steve separated. Through this hard time, Linda met her best friend, Hlynn Metz, as well as other very dear friends that she had throughout the rest of her life. Linda and her friends loved weekend trips to Tahoe. One of Linda's most beloved trips was with Hlynn to visit Israel. Linda became a big supporter of counseling and support groups and helped lead and participate in many of them along with Hlynn over the years.

When Michael and Michelle graduated from high school in 2007, Linda went back to work at WestAmerica Bank in Grass Valley. Over the years working there, Linda made many friends with both her co-workers and customers. She was dearly loved, and she loved many people there over her 13 years there.

Throughout this time, Linda was very close with her mom, Vicky, and saw her daily. She took Vicky to many appointments and enjoyed dinners out. A favorite activity was going to lunch at Happy Apple Kitchen. A tradition started when Vicky relocated to Nevada City. The family loved sitting outdoors and looking at the apple orchard. Another family tradition was driving around looking at Christmas lights while listening to Bing Crosby. This was a tradition started by Vicky and Russ when Bob and Linda were kids. Linda took care of Vicky more as the years went on. Vicky passed away in early 2020, and it was a huge loss to Linda. A few years earlier, in 2017, Linda had the joy of becoming a grandma to Emma, who was born to Michelle and her husband Scott. Linda became a grandma again in 2020 to Ethan, also born to Michelle and Scott. Linda loved being a grandma and was affectionately called 'Grandma Moo' by her grandchildren.

In early 2021, Linda was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, a rare and aggressive cancer. She began treatment and spent the next three years battling it. Linda decided to use her diagnosis as a ministry and spent her many appointments sharing about Jesus and praying with nurses and medical staff. Linda always kept her eyes on the Lord through every valley of this hard and painful journey. She exuded joy when she could have so easily fallen into despair. Linda treasured her time spent on nightly calls with her daughter and grandchildren, as well as her brother Bob. She also spent many wonderful hours with her dear and beloved friends. So many of her wonderful friends supported and uplifted her, bringing meals, taking her to appointments, and taking care of things around the house.

When Michelle, Scott, the grandchildren, and her brother Bob came to visit for Thanksgiving 2023, they could see a big change in Linda. She was very tired and was hardly mobile. A week later, Linda started hospice care. Even in her diminished state, Linda left a loving impression on many of her caretakers. On December 23, Michelle came to visit Linda. Linda was not conscious, but her demeanor changed when family talked to her. Linda's niece, Rachel, came to visit in the afternoon. Michelle, Michael, and Rachel spent the next couple of hours telling about happy family memories. Michelle and Rachel held Linda's hands as they visited. Linda passed away a few hours later.

Linda is predeceased by her parents, Russ and Vicky Parmenter. She is survived by her brother Bob Parmenter, son Michael Wilbur, daughter Michelle Carey, granddaughter Emma Carey, and grandson Ethan Carey. We share the comfort of knowing that we will all be reunited one day in heaven.