Linda Joanne Rand

Linda Joanne Rand, of Wilmington, N.C., died on Tuesday, April 23, 2013. She was 70. Linda was the loving and much-loved wife of Bob Rand; the dearly loved mother of Cindy Burns of Modesto, Calif., and Penni Ellington of Burbank, Calif.; the devoted daughter of Harry and the late Myrle Olson of Kent, Wash.; and the wise big sister of Cathy McBroom of Covington, Wash., Randy Olson of Federal Way, Wash., and Dave Olson of Kent, Wash. Linda also leaves behind many other dear relatives and close family friends.

Born in Bisbee, Ariz., Linda grew up in Auburn and Kent, Wash., and graduated from Kent Meridian High School in 1961. She moved to California a year later, where she raised two beautiful daughters alone for many years. In 1970, she went to work for General Electric in San Jose, where she met Bob in 1989. They were married on Sept. 20, 1992, and moved to Wilmington, where they made a life in a home filled with love and happiness for 21 years.

An extremely caring and giving person, Linda was devoted to her family. She had a gentle spirit, and she was kind, decent and genuinely loving. She would help anyone with anything. Endlessly curious, she was an avid reader who loved American history, especially World War II and the Civil War. She also loved her West Highland White Terriers, and she was very involved in rescuing unwanted and maltreated dogs for many years.

Diagnosed with lupus in 1986, for the last 10 years of her life Linda waged a brave battle against this devastating disease and other related illnesses. Through it all, in typical Linda fashion, she remained cheerful, loving and curious. She was a beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother and friend … and she will be dearly missed. While we mourn for the time she didn’t have with us, we cherish the time we had with her. We take comfort that her earthly struggles are finally over and that she is with God in her eternal home. We all loved her deeply, and she will be in our hearts forever.

At Linda’s request, memorial services will be held in Wilmington, Seattle, and Quincy, Mass., over the next several months. The family suggests that donations in memory of Linda be made to the Lupus Foundation of America (www.lupus.org).

The staff of Coble Ward-Smith is honored to serve the family of Linda Joanne Rand.