Linda Thornley Barney

Obituary

Linda Thornley Barney, Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Aunt, Friend, and Daughter of God, passed away unexpectedly at home in El Monte, CA on Wednesday morning, July 19, 2017. She had been working through a number of health issues the last couple of years and circumstances Wednesday morning lead us to believe that she developed a blood clot that brought on either a sudden heart attack or stroke. We do not believe that she suffered.

Linda was a descendant of the Mormon Pioneers and was the youngest of Echo and Allie Thornley’s six daughters. She was born April 23, 1945 and grew up on her parents farm in Montana where she learned how to work hard, rode horses, and developed her musical talents.

Linda married Frank Barney on December 18, 1964 and soon after started creating her family. Linda is the mother of 10 children and is fiercely loyal to her family. Nothing matters more to her than her husband and her children. As her family continued to grow and her children married, her love, loyalty, and devotion was extended to new spouses, grandchildren, and step-grandchildren unconditionally.

Linda served in the community and her church in numerous capacities. She had a knack for organization. Most notably she served as PTA President at Durfee Elementary and as Relief Society President and Primary President in her local congregation. But, her favorite areas of service involved music. She loved being a choir director in church at both the ward and stake level, and being the choir accompanist at El Monte High School.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Echo and Allie Thornley, her sisters Doraleen Thornley and Margaret Sharf, her child Matthew James Barney (stillborn), and grandchildren Linda Doraleen Barney (stillborn), Michael Barney (stillborn).

She is survived by her husband Frank Barney; three sisters Lois Harris, Sharon Pearson, Ela Dee Alcorn; nine children and their spouses Frank & Kristy Barney, Echo & Matt Wright, Gayle & Steve Dubravac, Craig & Jodie Barney, Wendy & Nathan Clark, Misty & Keith Weinheimer, Ben & Tiffany Barney, Crystal & Stewart Torres, and Jared & Jessica Barney; 39 grandchildren and spouses: Bryan & Geneva McDonnell, Russell & Alex McDonnell, Alec Barney, Brittany McDonnell, Aubree Barney, Robert McDonnell, Allie Wright, Jake & Nina Wright, Travis Wright, Samantha Wright, Stephen DuBravac, Ben DuBravac, Abigayle DuBravac, Craig (Ty) Barney, Joseph Barney, Rebeka Barney, Jacob Barney, Luke Barney, Bradley Clark, Christopher Clark, Sean Weinheimer, Kirsten Weinheimer, Nicole & Jake Nelson, Matthew Barney, Holland Higginbotham, Timothy Barney, Bo Higginbotham, Meagan Barney, London Larson, Delaney Larson, Justin Torres, Jacob Torres, Ashley Torres, Wyatt Barney, Duke Barney; and more nieces and nephews that are possible to count.

Services will be held in El Monte, California and in Smithfield, Utah.

Birth: April 23, 1945 Idaho Falls, Idaho

Death: July 19, 2017 El Monte, California

Viewing: Friday July 28, 2017 6-9pm

Pierce Brothers Turner & Stevens Mortuary 1136 E. Las Tunas Dr. San Gabriel, CA

Funeral: Saturday July 29, 2017 11 am

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 11338 Fairview St., El Monte, CA

Viewing: Friday August 4, 2017, 12pm to 1pm

Nelson Funeral Home, 162 East 400 North, Logan, Utah

Memorial Service: Friday August 4, 2017 1 pm

Nelson Funeral Home, 162 East 400 North, Logan, Utah

Burial: Friday August 4, 2017

Smithfield City Cemetery, 300 East Center Street, Smithfield, Utah