Linda Lou Matkins

Linda Matkins November, 2 1950 - September 5, 2018 Lake Wenatchee, Washington Linda Lou Matkins (mom), 68, a long time Lake Wenatchee resident, lost her battle with cancer on September, 2018 in her home, "The little red house on the corner." Linda was a woman like no other. She was a teacher, the family's financial adviser, master gardener, home builder, wood splitter extraordinaire....... she was everything. Above all else, she was mom. Even to those who are friends of hers call her mom. You will notice not everything is written in the past tense because, although she is no longer with us in the here and now, she will live on through all of us. She was one of the best judges of character which meant that if you were allowed to be in the circle of friends you aren't just friends, you are family. Born in Valley General Hospital on November 2nd 1950, and 21 years later on December 18th 1971 she met her lifelong partner, love of her life and soul mate Richard and one year later they were married on December 16th, 1972 Linda loved spending time with her children. Her first of which was Tina Marie Matkins, whom passed from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Although she only was able to have her for four months, her love for her lasted a lifetime. Following Tina, Linda gave birth to her other three children, Johnny Ray, Trina Lynn and Jarrod Edward Matkins whom she got to love for the rest of her life. She was always very proud of all four of them. She loved gardening, building and decorating her home as well as traveling all over the U.S. She loved exploring and discovering all the beauty in this country alongside the love of her life Rich. Although she found great pleasure in this, she was even happier and always excited to return home to her family and friends. She was so very happy to have grown so much closer to her brother Steve and his partner Diane in the last few years. This warmed her heart to no end and spoke of it often. She went to see all her long lost family and friends on September 5th, 2018. She went happy, comfortable and peacefully. Mom was a Jill of all trades as she worked with the love of her life, father of her children, and partner in crime Richard Matkins. The term crime comes to mind because anyone who witnessed how hard they worked would agree it should be against the law to work that hard. This was not so in her eyes though, this was a journey in creating, building and working for everything they have and first and foremost providing for their three children, oldest son Johnny, daughter Trina and youngest son Jarrod. This was very plain for all to see but one adventure stands out. This adventure was the one room cabin surrounded by trees and brush the kept it hidden from the road. Mom told Dad as a joke, "That's the one, our dream home Richard." The joke was on them, for they bought that one room cabin in 1985 with no running water, no plumbing or electricity immediately the work to create a home from this house began. Rich and Linda toiled day in and day out to clear the land, build and tirelessly create their home that they would spend the next 30 years raising their children, building memories and growing their bond together, the strongest bond anyone has ever seen between two people. However, many will remember her for her gardening abilities. She loved to work the garden, the flower beds and was a true green thumb. Really, if it could grow, she was the one to make it flourish. If you were fortunate enough to know her, then most likely you received your fair share of fresh vegetables, canned goods and baked goods as well as receiving recipes for anything she made. She kept no secrets of gardening, cooking and canning. She was always ready to share this knowledge because she loved, and had a passion for these things, she wanted to help plant that seed of passion with others whenever possible. Every year people would ask her, "Linda, when are you going to reduce the size of that garden?" The answer always remained the same. "Next year, this time I mean it." We all knew it better as it wasn't work to her, it was a love. She didn't plant 20 heads of cabbage because they needed it. Even though we all tried to talk her out of having such a big garden to take care of every year, we were all relieved that she didn't listen because that meant that everyone would be getting fresh vegetables, pickled green beans, beats, coleslaw, etc. She didn't have 80% more vegetables planted than they would use because she had to, this was intentional due to her love of gardening, and beyond that, she loved to share with family and friends. Although she worked her fingers till they bled, she would never ask for help. Many times people would offer to help mom and dad out so they didn't have to work so hard and it was always the same answer, "Don't worry about it, you have things to do to and Rich and I, or your Dad and I can handle it." Regardless of how hard they worked or what lists she was trying to accomplish; it was done side by side with her husband. No matter the work to be accomplished, at the end of the day all work stopped, this was her time to relax with a warm beer by the fire and just have the chance to really enjoy her husband's company and many times the company of others. This was always welcomed by her. Over the course of the last several years' mom and dad would leave the snow load behind and head out in the motor home and find warmer weather. This could be anywhere from Arizona to Virginia. Arizona provided the heat to warm up from the winter and Virginia provided the opportunity to visit her son Jarrod, Daughter in-law Katie, and grandson Wyatt. It was bitter sweet for Linda and Rich's friends and family whom they would be leaving behind while they adventured because like anything in this life that you love and cherish, everyone would be excited and happy for them but always would long for their return. Awaiting the day, they could stop by and visit. It was a guarantee that the day they returned to Washington state, their oldest son Johnny and wife Sari, their daughter Trina and her husband Chris would be making arrangements to meet up and catch up on their trip. Every year when they were supposed to come home, mom knew. Trina would send a picture of the plum tree in the front yard when it was in full bloom, this was the "Time to come home now" picture every year. When the tree bloomed the season of growing was starting. In closing, we should all be happy and not shed too many tears, for her new plum tree has bloomed and it was time for her to go home. Anyone who knew her knows that to do anything less than celebrate her life, carry her on through their memories, stories and their hearts would not be Linda's (Moms) wishes. We should all be grateful and honored to have had her in our lives, and the luxury of and now having the ability to carry her love, kindness and memories with us forever. So gather around your fire pits with some good company, have a drink and celebrate Mom's life and love. Please feel free to post pictures, share memories and stories so we can all continue to learn from this one in a million person we call Mom.

Linda Lou Matkins

November 2, 1950 - September 5, 2018