Biography

Linda is an Oak Harbor businesswoman and civic activist with a strong devotion to our community and the families who live here. When NAS Whidbey was threatened with closure in1991, Linda was an integral part of the SAVE NAS Task Force that convinced the Defense Department and Congress to keep the base open.

Linda was a Navy wife in her first marriage and later became a young widow. The experience led her to start three social service agencies dedicated to helping widowed people work through the grief process. (Widowed Information and Consultation Services of Snohomish County; Widowed Information and Consultation Services of Island County and Skagit Widowed Support Services). She held Board positions on all three and worked as Executive Director of WICS/SC for several years.

Linda has worked in Funeral Service for over 25 years, serving families in three local counties. As a Certified Life Celebrant she officiaties at memorial services and weddings. Linda's community service includes: Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce, Soroptimist, Navy League, Mt. Hood Funeral Service Advisory Board and past member of the Island County Planning Commission.

Linda's husband Jim manages Burley Funeral Home in Oak Harbor. "We enjoy motorcycle riding, hot-rods, boating, entertaining, gourmet cooking and walking on the beach. We have a Whippet dog named Twiggy and a Marmalade cat named Miss Daisy."