Linda Jane Green

(Bigovich)

On April 22nd, 2016, we lost our beloved Mother, Wife, Sister, Grandmother and Friend, Linda Jane Green (Bigovich), after a long and protracted battle with multiple ailments.

Courageous to the end, she was surrounded by her loving family, no longer in pain and in a better place. Born to Jerome and Valeria Darling in 1941 in Kansas City, MO and the eldest of 3 siblings, her father's job in the Navy took her family to the Pacific Northwest, where she spent her formative years in Port Orchard, WA attending South Kitsap HS. Upon graduation, she moved to Seattle where she met Jack Bigovich. They married in 1962, eventually settling in Spokane raising their two boys. Considering herself a mother first above all else, she relished her role earning great reverence as a homemaker ... something she never apologized for embracing. A skilled cook and baker, many of her sons' friends never passed up the opportunity to enjoy one of her notoriously delicious meals that "could feed an army". In 1986, she went back to work part time as a TA for Special Education at Opportunity Elementary in Spokane Valley. Though she could only work for a few years, spending time with these special children was something she always cherished and enjoyed.

In the fall of 1988, Linda lost her husband of 25 years to an 8 year battle with leukemia. Loyal and loving until his death, her perseverance never wavered ... even in the face of family tragedy. In 1990, she married Kenneth Green after being introduced to him on a blind date by her best friend Maggie. With her boys away at College, the newlyweds moved to Gig Harbor upon Ken accepting a promotion. Fortuitously, this provided her the opportunity to be closer to her only sister Sheri and her brother Errol.

Upon Ken's retirement, they moved back to Spokane in 2000. She spent their remaining years together traveling via RV to see friends and family. An avid camper who loved the outdoors, Linda never wasted an opportunity to work with Ken maintaining their back yard ("El Campo Costaplenty"). She also enjoyed entertaining friends and family, especially spending quality time with her three grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband Ken, brother Errol Darling, sons John Jr. and Steve, granddaughter Arianna and grandsons Kyle and Tyler. Linda also leaves behind four stepsons (Ken Jr., Kelvin, Mike and Nick) and a stepdaughter (Kimberly) as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Our family would like to convey our sincere and heartfelt gratitude to all of those that have shown so much love and support during this difficult time. We are truly humbled by your thoughts and prayers, which we consider a testament to Linda's life and the many people she touched. Her strength, courage, commitment to family and grace could not be measured. The love and devotion she shared with family and friends was never spared and will be forever remembered by those privileged to know her. We thank God for blessing us with Linda and will be forever grateful for the time we had her.

A memorial will be held in Spokane Valley at Thornhill Valley Funeral Chapel, 1400 S. Pines, on Saturday, April 30th at 10:00am.