Obituary of Linda Verneal McAllister

Linda Verneal Roslund McAllister died on Thursday, June 13th, of natural causes. She was surrounded by her children, grandchildren and other cherished family members.

Linda was preceded in death by a beloved daughter, Tamara Ann, in 1989. She is survived by her brother, Danford Roslund, sister Sharon Roslund, ex-husband, William McAllister, her sons, Timothy and Peter McAllister, her daughter, Molly McAllister (Brandon Archibald), daughter-in-law, Kathy McAllister, and grandchildren Ashley (Joel Holland), Peter and Natalie McAllister, and Anders and Harper Archibald.

Born on August 22, 1940, in Alma, MI, to Everett and Verneal (Sandy) Roslund, Linda was drawn towards helping people around the world from early childhood.  After graduating from Jackson High School in Jackson, MI, she attended nursing school in Chicago, IL, at Northwestern University. At a party early on in the year, she met William (Bill) McAllister, a medical student, and they went on to marry in Jackson, MI, 1961.

Linda and Bill moved to Portland, OR, in 1962, where they raised their family of four children and were active in the Portland medical community. Linda also stayed busy on the family farm in central Oregon, becoming a Master Gardener and an active participant in the community of Wamic. In later years, Linda devoted herself to worldwide travel and volunteerism. Through trips to Africa, Asia, Central and South America, she explored new places, frequently by hiking and kayaking, and often did so while volunteering her nursing skills.

Linda brought joy to all who met her. From friends to neighbors, from caregivers to grandchildren, the common threads of gardening, reading, travel, creativity, sense of humor, and adventure ring through in all of the memory sharing.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, June 21st, from 3-5 pm at Lacamas Lake Lodge, 227 NE Lake Road, Camas, WA. Donations in her memory can be made to Heifer International, the Audubon Society of Portland or The Fistula Foundation.