Linda Kay Walker Black passed away peacefully surrounded by family on February 15, 2020, in Mesa, Arizona. She was born March 9, 1949 in Willits, California. She was the daughter of LeRoy and Alma “Nickie” (McDonnell) Walker. She moved to the Detroit, Michigan area when she was a few months old and lived there until she graduated high school.
She attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah where she obtained a degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Music. While there she met Steven Black who was in her Family Home Evening group. They were married almost 49 years, having married in the Manti Temple on May 28, 1971.
They had five children; Sarah (John) Skabelund, Jennifer (Don) Sharp, Kathryn Black, Steven (Jessica) Black, and Lindsay (Trevor) Florence. They have 19 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Linda’s family was her life and she loved being with them. They were her pride and joy in this life. In November 2006 she said, “The older I get, the more I realize that ‘Family is everything!’”
Linda was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and held many different positions at various times in her life. She loved every one of them, but her favorite ones always involved music. She could play piano, organ, oboe, basson, french horn and any other instrument that was put in front of her.
Linda was well known for her Gingerbread Houses. She won numerous blue ribbons at the Arizona State Fair and even sold Gingerbread houses professionally. She taught many community classes on how to make a gingerbread house, as well as her school classes. Linda was also an exceptional cake decorator, flower arranger, calligrapher, seamstress, and pianist.
Once her children were all in school, she decided to start teaching again. She substitute taught in the Kyrene district for a year and then was hired at the same elementary school her children were at (Kyrene de los Ninos) teaching 5th grade. Mrs. Black was a favorite teacher among the students. During this time she also obtained her Masters degree in Elementary Education from NAU.
A car accident put her teaching on hold, as she spent years recovering from that. She was able to return to teaching and taught 3rd grade at Gilbert Arts Academy in Gilbert until she retired in 2014.
Linda was preceded in death by her mother and her sister Marti. Linda is survived by her husband Steve, their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, her father and sisters Leslie, Amy and Sarah.
A viewing will be held Friday, February 28, 2020 from 6pm – 8pm at Bunker Family Funeral (33 N Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201).
Funeral services will be Saturday, February 29, 2020 at 10:00am, with visitation beginning one hour prior to the service starting at 9:00am. This will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Harris Building (2220 N Harris, Mesa, AZ 85203).
For more information, please visit www.bunkerfuneral.com.
Such a beautiful tribute to your dear mom. What a wonderful, talented, loving lady. Many prayers are being offered for added comfort and peace during this time.
NOTHING BUT GOOD GOOD MEMORIES…!!!
Linda was such a fine example to everyone who knew her. We had so much fun with she and Steve when they were in our ward. Linda always had wonderful ideas for ward activities. Everyone loved, and still does love her. Jim & Carolyn Wagstaff
It was a joy to work with Linda at Gilbert Arts Academy. She had such a joy for teaching and a deep love for all the children in her classes. She was kind and compassionate and a true friend.
I’m so sorry to hear of Linda’s death. Obviously her death came way too soon. Linda and I were good friends growing up in the same LDS Ward in Livonia Michigan. Love to her family.