Linda Jean Camerini Deane

Before there was ever Google, there was a spirited Italian woman who knew the answers to the important questions regarding literature, pop culture, antiques and most importantly – matters of the heart. If she didn’t know the answer immediately, she would check her resources and promptly get back to you. Her name was Linda Deane.

Linda passed away with her family by her side on Jan. 6, 2009, due to complications from a congenital heart defect. She was 68 years old.

Linda was born on Aug. 16, 1940, in Seattle to Charles and Eva Camerini of Renton, Wash. She grew up with her younger sister, Janice, and attended Henry Ford Elementary School, where she was a Girl Scout and loved roller skating. Linda attended Renton Jr.-Sr. High School, was a member of Rainbow Girls and played the flute for both the marching band and orchestra.

Upon graduation, she attended college at Central Washington College of Education in Ellensburg, Wash., where she met and later married Dick Deane of Moses Lake on Nov. 12, 1960.

Over her lifetime, Linda was involved in numerous activities such as Beta Sigma Phi (joined in 1967 and still active) and to this day had very close relationships with her Beta sisters. She also was involved with the Moses Lake Fireman’s Auxiliary and various book clubs. Later, when her children were grown, she went to work for Dr. Leiv Kvamme. She worked at the doctor’s office as a medical receptionist for over 25 years. She had a friendly way of interacting with the patients and the patients knew that she genuinely cared about them. Linda also enjoyed reading. She loved true crime, mysteries and especially biographies. She was a collector of antique pottery and was very interested in Native American art and culture.

While growing up, Linda became a lover of music. She filled her home with contemporary music throughout the decades. Linda’s love of music was passed down from her father, Charlie, a talented guitar player and then passed on to her son, Eric. Her daughter, Krista, found joy in singing and from Linda’s influence, learned lyrics to all the great standards and today’s hit music.

Another one of Linda’s passions were her kitties. Over her lifetime, she rescued, nurtured and provided free medical care to an untold number of felines. In her final days at home, her cat, Nellie, remained at an arm’s length of Linda at all times.

Linda will be remembered as a true friend to many people and she treasured those friendships like precious gems. She was a person you could completely confide in, never fearing that the private things you discussed with her would ever be shared. She became a confidant to a number of her children’s friends, because in Linda, they knew their secrets would be safe and her guidance would be direct, yet gentle. She always encouraged young people to continue their education because she felt strongly about the opportunities that a good education could bring.

Linda is survived by her husband of 48 years, Sidney Richard “Dick” Deane of Moses Lake, her son, Eric Deane of Moses Lake, her daughter, Krista Vela (Israel) of Kent, Wash., her sister, Janice (Terry) McClintock of Renton, Wash., along with three precious grandchildren: Brandon Deane, and Carly and Cameron Vela.

Linda maintained very close relationships with her aunt and uncle, as well as her cousins, because her family meant everything to her.

Celebrations of Linda’s life will be held on Friday at 3 p.m. at the Moses Lake First Presbyterian Church, 1142 W. Ivy Ave., Moses Lake. Also an open house will be held in Kent, Wash. on Saturday, Jan. 31, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Please contact Kayser’s Chapel of Memories for further details and sign the memorial guestbook at www.kayserschapel.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Linda’s honor may be made to: Grant County Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 489, Moses Lake, WA 98837.