Linnea “Casey” Kay Prock

Linnea "Casey" Kay Prock, 72, passed away peacefully on August 19, 2025, in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Born on October 17, 1952, in Spokane, Washington, Casey lived a life defined by kindness, warmth, and unwavering devotion to her family and those around her.

Casey graduated from North Thurston High School in Lacey, Washington, with the class of 1971 and went on to attend Eastern Washington State College. Her early years laid the foundation for a life filled with compassion and service to others. She later built a career with the City of Salem in Oregon, where she became affectionately known as the "office mom". Her colleagues remember her for her ever-present smile and nurturing spirit-always ready with a kind word or thoughtful gesture.

After retiring from public service, Casey made the bold and heartfelt decision to sell her home and move across the country to Virginia. This move brought her closer to her beloved grandchildren and allowed her to build deep and lasting bonds with each of them-relationships she treasured above all else.

Casey is survived by her daughter Kelli Palotay and son-in-law Joshua of Stafford, Virginia; her son Matthew Cao and his husband Brian of Dallas, Texas; five cherished grandchildren: Luke, Joseph, Grace, Nicholas, and Henry; and her youngest brother David Sundberg and his wife Judy of Alma, Georgia. She was preceded in death by her parents Gladys and Lawerence Sundberg of Tucson, Arizona; her older brother James Sundberg; and sister Janet MacCulloch.

A woman of many talents and quiet joys, Casey loved to crochet-creating large custom blankets that became treasured gifts for friends and family. Her garden was another source of pride and peace for her. She found joy in cooking hearty meals for loved ones, escaping into the pages of Danielle Steel novels, watching Hallmark movies during quiet evenings, and occasionally sipping on a margarita (though rarely finishing it).

Those who knew Casey speak of a gentle soul whose warmth radiated like sunshine. She had an innate ability to make others feel seen and cared for-whether they were lifelong friends or strangers passing through. Friends have said she was "the mom every child should have" and "the friend everyone needs." Her selflessness was evident in every aspect of her life; she constantly put others before herself and never hesitated to lend a helping hand.

Her legacy lives on not only through the love she poured into her family but also through the countless lives she touched with simple acts of kindness. Casey was the best mother we could have ever hoped for-and her loss leaves a void that can never truly be filled.

A funeral service will be held at St. William of York Catholic Church in Stafford, VA on September 15th, 2025 at 10:30AM. Her ashes will be laid to rest in the historic Fredericksburg City Cemetery in Virginia.

May Casey's memory bring comfort to all who knew her-and may we carry forward the light she so generously shared with the world.