Linda "Lin" Kosanke

Linda "Lin" KOSANKE Passed away Sunday, December 7th 2008, with her husband and two children at her side, after a two-and-a-half year battle with cancer. Surviving are her husband of 38 years, Bill, son, Matt; daughter, Megan; brother, Bruce Valley; and mother, Mary Valley. Lin is also survived by her son-in-law, Scott Soden, and her daughter-in-law, Becky Kosanke. Lin was born in Bremerton, Washington on February 15, 1947, the daughter of Al and Mary Valley. After graduating from East High School in 1965, Lin attended the University of Washington, where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology in 1969. Lin met her future husband, Bill, during the summer following her graduation; the two of them were engaged on New Year's Eve of that same year, and married a few short months later. Lin and Bill were blessed with two children - a son, Matt, born in 1972, and a daughter, Megan, born in 1974. In 1984 Lin embarked on a career in social work for the Lake Washington School District which, like her marriage, lasted the remainder of her life. A defining aspect of Lin's professional life was her tireless devotion to positively influencing the families involved in her various programs, whether it be in the form of helping them procure jobs, finding affordable housing, balancing their checkbooks, or simply acting as an advocate on their behalf. In her role Lin took particular delight in having the opportunity to interact with all of the children with whom she worked. Characteristic of Lin, she developed and maintained relationships with the families of these children long after the working relationship had ended. A gentle and caring mother, Lin enjoyed a close relationship with each of her children. Her son-in-law and daughter-in-law, upon joining the family, also found in Lin a mother, a confidant, and a close friend. Active and engaged with her extended family, her brothers, brother- and sister-in-laws, nieces and nephews were all frequent guests in her family's home. She brought to every family gathering her witty banter and innate warmth. Lin was easy to love, and greatly loved she was. With her caring nature, gentle soul, warm and open personality, and great sense of humor, Lin made lasting friends with individuals of different ages, walks of life, occupations and personalities - each of whom she cared for deeply. Even though Lin enjoyed the friendship of a great number of people, each friend was truly special to her, and Lin had a unique ability to make each of her friends and loved ones feel the specialness of their individual bond. As one close friend relates, "Lin cared greatly about what was going on in your life and could help you embrace and celebrate it." In addition to spending time with her family and friends, Lin loved to read and go to her book groups, admire the beauty of Lake Sammamish from her kitchen or bedroom window, take a ride in the family boat, interact with infants and young children, walk along the waterfront in Kirkland and window shop, listen to Bruce Springsteen's music, and sip a hot cup of tea on a cold, rainy Seattle day. Whenever she had the opportunity Lin would travel to Hawaii, which was her favorite place to visit. She looked forward every year to the holidays (Christmas in particular), or any occasion where she would be surrounded by her friends and family. To her family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, caregivers and acquaintances, Lin has left the memory of times past and the knowledge that good souls do exist in this world and in our lives. What greater gift could we ask for that we, having known and loved her, were imbued with the warmth of her affirming light? For each of us grieving our loss in Lin's passing, may we be comforted by the memory of her spirit which she gave to each and all who knew and loved her. Such is Lin's enduring legacy. Visitation will be held on Monday, the 15th of December between the hours of 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Sunset Hills Memorial Funeral Home in Bellevue, Washington. The family will host a remembrance whose time and place will be determined in the near future. The family humbly requests, in lieu of flowers, that memorial donations be made to the Swedish Cancer Institute.