Obituary of Linda Metz

On the 5th of February 2024, God called home an Angel. Our beloved Linda Metz, age 70, passed away peacefully at Good Samaritan hospital in Puyallup, Washington.

Linda was born Christmas Eve 1953 in Tacoma, Washington to her mother Betty Faker and father Frank Faker. Later raised by her mother, then Betty Murray, and step father Leslie Richard Murray.

Linda had been a longtime resident of Sumner, Washington where she lived for over 20 years along with her late mother Betty.

Linda was preceded in death by her Mother, Betty Murray; Father, Frank Faker; Stepfather, Leslie Richard Murray; Sister, Gloria Jean Faker; First Husband, Wayne Erkers; Stepson, James Metz;

Linda is survived by her two daughters, Linnie Gorman and Corina Erkers; grandchildren, Jonathan Gorman, Natausha Gorman, Nickolas Erkers, Devontae Johnson, and Elijah Johnson; great grandchildren, Jonny Gorman, Jaimie Gorman, Davon Harden, and Lucinda Johnson; nephews Tuffy Saeed and Tony Bowen; great niece, Ameera Saeed; sisters Mary Jones, Terry Meyers, and Maureen O’neil, among many other nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and ex husband, Billy Ray Metz.

Linda was the matriarch of her family. She could move mountains. Going to any length for her loved ones. She was the rock that kept everything steady, the glue that held everything together. She was the most beautiful soul.
When she walked in the room her enthusiastic voice, smile and light-hearted mood filled the air with bliss.

Though she was a spunky woman, never holding her tongue for anyone or anything, and that’s what made her so unique. Just the same, she loved unconditionally, to the moon and back and yielded an abundance of compassion with plenty to spread around.

This is why she flourished in her career as a caretaker in an assisted living home in Sumner, WA where she cared for disabled elderly.  Caregiving was a wonderful gift Linda was blessed with and she used it to the best of her ability. She took great pride in caring for the disabled elderly. Even after the conclusion of her career, Linda continued the role of caregiving, acting as the sole caretaker for her mother, Betty Murray until Betty’s passing in 2021 at 97 years old. 

During the last few years of Betty’s life Linda was  battling breast cancer and diagnosed shortly after with stage 4 terminal cancer. Nonetheless, she held her head high and lived life to the fullest. She was quite literally the strongest person we’ve known and loved.

Linda found nothing more important than family and making memories. She had a special ability to bring family together for any occasion she could and take every opportunity to make it a special time to spend together with family. Gathering everyone for a Sunday football game to root for her favorite team, the Seahawks was a common occurrence. Most of all, she absolutely loved hosting holiday celebrations. Halloween being her favorite of all where she would bring the whole family together for her famous spaghetti while undoubtedly wearing one of her favorite witch hats for costume. She was elated to have all of her grandchildren together for the annual trick or treating.
 
Though fall was the season of her favorite holiday, she was overjoyed for summer days to visit and vacation at her favorite places, Ocean Shores and West Port where the whole family would meet for a few days together barbecuing, joking, laughing, and enjoying every moment we are blessed to have each other.

The beach is one of the captivating places she wished to return and remain forever. The landscape of a sandy beach where there’s a salty tang in the air you can taste as you breathe it in. The smell of seaweed and the scene awash with greens and blues as you watch the sunlight dance across the water’s surface.

The other place Linda wished to return to forever is Mt.Rainier, where there lies a beautiful waterfall. A favorite place of her’s as well. A sight that summons an unstoppable white, frothy cascade of flowing waters, rippling with mist sprays, rainbows, rocky outcroppings, trees clinging to cliffs, butterflies and dragonflies.
These sacred sites will fill our hearts with extraordinary memories to cherish and hold our lovely Linda’s spiritual essence forevermore. Linda will be greatly missed but lives on through her loved ones always and endlessly.