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Linda Lee Owen Marmaduke

Linda Lee Owen Marmaduke, 71, peacefully passed away surrounded by her family in Sonoma on Wednesday, June 27, 2012, after a battle with ALS.

  Born April 19, 1941, to Dorothy Engman Owen Wilson and Elwin Asa Owen, Linda was raised in Folsom and Orangevale. She attended San Juan High School where she met her husband, James Rufus Marmaduke, in her freshman algebra class. During high school, she was outstanding senior girl’s athlete and excelled at softball, field hockey, basketball and volleyball. The high school sweethearts married on Sept. 7, 1960, and attended University of Nevada, Reno. After college they resided in Novato, Washington state and their last 40 years in Sonoma, where they raised their two children and helped raise all six of their grandchildren.

  She considered herself a stay at home mom and housewife, but was actively involved in the ownership and management of the two Sonoma 7-Eleven stores for 27 years. She also acted as PTO president at El Verano when her children attended, helped with Valley of the Moon Little League, and was a Cub Scout den mother. She was also an active member of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, and helped each year with its annual Vacation Bible School. She enjoyed making and delivering Christmas baskets for local families in need. Linda was also a skilled seamstress, making her own and her daughter’s wedding dresses, as well as numerous Halloween costumes, dress up clothes for grandchildren and could even be found reupholstering furniture. Although she loved travel, her real passion was spending time with her family.

  Linda is survived by her husband, James Rufus Marmaduke; son, James Troy Marmaduke (Dawn Merrill); daughter, Tracy Janell Marmaduke (Scott Walthard); grandchildren, Carly Marmaduke, Tyler Marmaduke, Shelley Marmaduke, Kelsey Walthard, Owen Walthard and Lindsey Walthard. She is also survived by her mother, Dorothy Wilson; brothers, Kenneth Owen (Debi), Charles Wilson (Cathy) and Doug Wilson; sister-in-law, Sue Lyerla (Ted); and numerous nieces and nephews.

  She was preceded in death by her father, Elwin Asa Owen (U.S. Navy World War II) and her brother, Jerry Owen (Marty).

  A memorial service celebrating her life will be held Monday, July 2, at 2 p.m. at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 16290 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, CA, with onsite reception to follow. Donations in her memory may be made to Forbes Norris ALS Research Center, 2324 Sacramento St., Suite 111, San Francisco, CA 94115, or a local charity of your choice.

  Arrangements under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel, Mission Cremation Service, 525 W. Napa St., Sonoma, CA 95476. Inquiries can be made to them at 996-3655 or www.duggansmissionchapel.com

Duggan’s Mission Chapel.

Mission Cremation Service

525 W. Napa St.

Sonoma, CA 95476

707-996-3655