BRANNAN, Linda Evelyn

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ June 5, 2008 Linda Evelyn Brannan died May 23, 2008, in Olympia, Wash. She was born May 31, 1949, in Silver City , N.M., to John Solon Brannan and Mattie Beatrice Wood Brannan one year and two weeks after her sister Geraldine was born. In due order, five more girls were born, Margaret, Kathleen, Pamela, Susan and Marla. She loved beaches, lighthouses, sunsets and her family. She had a special place in her heart for all children in her family. In her eyes, they were all the smartest and cutest and she'd do anything she could for them. Linda had no children but was the "favorite aunt" to her nieces and nephews. She was sometimes known as Inka, Aunt Lawnda, Aunt Grandma, Windon and other pet names as the nieces and nephews grew up. She loved doing special things for them and was always thinking of fun and creative things to do for and with them. Very recently, she took 4-year-old Owen into the back yard to "see if they could find the fairies." Owen reported that they did not find fairies, but they did find a toadstool, so maybe someday he'd find a fairy there. Linda's "valuables" were never material items. Her treasures were sentimental. For example, when her dad died, she found a notebook in which he had written some of his memories of her mom after she died. She treasured it. She had small treasures, items nieces and nephews had given her. She had a McDonalds's Happy Meal toy that young Jordan gave her. She treasured that Bambi as if it were a true collectible because Jordan asked what toy she wanted when she took him to McDonalds. She had so many stories of special memories with the children. The family will spend time sharing them when they get together because to write them all here is impossible. Linda attended Cobre High School in Bayard, N.M., Snowflake Union High School, Cochise Community College in Douglas, Good Samaritan School of Nursing in Phoenix and Tacoma Community College. She worked as a nurse and a certified medical records technician. She is survived by Gerry (Terry) Waitt of Owendale, Mich., and their daughters, Cecily (Russell) Willerton and Alyssa (Mark) Reeves. Cecily and Russell are the parents of Owen Willerton. She is also survived by Margaret (Michael) Chlarson of Show Low and their sons John (Tamara) Chlarson and Micah (Christine) Chlarson. John and Tamara are parents to Madison, Staley, Emmi and Grayce. Micah and Christine are parents to Will and Jeremiah. She is survived by Kathleen (James) Hancock of Olympia, Wash., their sons Daniel and Michael and Michael's special girl, Julia. Survivors include Pam (Dan) Harris of Granbury, Texas, and their sons Cameron and Courtney and daughter Caitlin, and Susan Brannan of Show Low and her children Andrew, Carissa and Whitley Camlleri, and by the baby of the family, Marla (Steve) Murphy of Show Low, and their sons, Forrest, Brian and Jordan. Also special to her were friends Pat, Monique and her daughter Megan, Lori from work and Miranda, Staley's older sister. She's also survived by a large extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins. She had recently moved to Olympia and was making new friends in the lovely place she lived. The apartment came with a small garden plot. She said she was no gardener but supposed she would need to become one. She loved the view of the Capitol dome from her front window and the sunset views from her back window and was really starting to feel at home there. She kept journals of original poetry regarding things that touched her heart and poured out her soul into some of her writings. When told they were good, she said, "Yes, I know." When asked why she never tried to publish them, she just smiled and shrugged. In one of them she wrote the following, which seemed fitting for a remembrance at this time. "Now I'm tired. I need to come home. I am nearly ready to begin my journey although leaving isn't easy. "Many things I love must remain behind: Friends, dreams, memories, many songs I never got to sing. "But there will be other dreams and perhaps I'll write a new song "But I must return to you, "Gain your strength, feel your arms around me, make my home among you once more. "So, look out your window some morning when dawn is breaking, "An afternoon when autumn leaves are falling, or perhaps in the red-gold haze of a twilight sunset, "You'll see me running, arms outstretched, tears of joy in my eyes, and my heart overflowing with happiness and love. "I'll be home soon, and this time, I'll be home to stay." Memorial services will be held June 24 at Fort Worden State Park Chapel.