Surrounding Linda with Love in Her Final Days

Surrounding Linda with Love, Prayers and Peace in Her Final Days

If you know Linda Erickson, you’ve likely been on the receiving end of her laughter, her kindness, or her famous homemade pie — maybe even all three. She's the kind of person who makes everyone feel like the most important person in the room. Whether you know her as the faithful wife of Pastor David Erickson, the steadfast and supportive mother and grandmother, the loving middle school Attendance Secretary, a dancing buddy at Thursday night line-dancing, an affirming neighbor or simply as a dear friend — Linda has brought joy, peace and deep compassion into every life she has touched.

Her nurturing spirit, quick wit, and most of all, her profound love for Jesus have made her one of the most beloved people in her community. Linda doesn’t just believe in loving people well — she lives it. Whether she was helping someone through a hard season, showing up with something sweet "just because," or finding a way to create a job for someone in need, she has always found a way to serve others in quiet, extraordinary ways.

Now, it's our turn to love on Linda.

What Happened

On Sunday, June 15th, 2025, Linda was doing one of the things she loved most — supporting her husband of nearly 51 years as he preached the Word of God. They were at Eastridge Baptist Church in Kent, WA, where David was the pastor (1982-1989) attending a special service to help vote in a new pastor. In typical Linda style she spoke before the vote to encourage the congregation. Her extemporaneous words were words of substance, comfort and cheer. Witty and worshipful. In God’s sovereign surveillance and in His kindness, it was her last words, as per Colossians 4:6: ‘Let your words always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person.’ That was her personal style. She desired to ‘play the music so people would hear the words.’

In a sudden and devastating moment, Linda suffered a hemorrhagic stroke. She was rushed to Valley Medical Center, and soon after, transferred to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for emergency treatment. As news spread, her children and grandchildren quickly arrived to be by her side, a true reflection of the love and devotion Linda had cultivated in her home.

After careful evaluation, doctors determined that surgery would be the best way to relieve pressure from the brain bleed. On Monday, June 16th, she underwent a procedure to remove the clot, and the outpouring of prayer and support was immediate. Friends and family waited in hope and faith for a miracle.

Linda survived the surgery, but she never regained consciousness. By Thursday, she began developing signs of pneumonia and a fever. Despite continued medical care and constant support from her loved ones, her condition did not improve.

On Friday, June 20th, the family met with doctors to review Linda’s most recent scans. The news was heartbreaking: her brain had suffered significant, irreversible damage. After much prayer, the family made the decision to transition Linda into hospice care, choosing comfort, dignity, and love in her final days.

A Desire to Bring Her Home

The family's greatest hope now is to bring Linda home to Bellingham — to the comfort of her own home, surrounded by familiar sights, sounds, and the people who love her most.

In these tender, sacred final days, her family wants to create an atmosphere of peace and love, just as Linda has done for so many others throughout her life. Transporting her home under hospice care is a complicated and expensive process, and the medical costs continue to grow.

We are asking, with humble hearts, for your help.

How You Can Help

Linda has always been generous — not only with her resources, but with her time, her heart, and her faith. She never turned away someone in need. She showed up with food, with hugs, with scripture, and with strength. Now, in her time of greatest need, we have a chance to give back to her.

We’ve set a goal of $33,000, which will go toward:

• Medical expenses not covered by insurance

• Transportation costs to bring Linda home to Bellingham

• Hospice and home care

• Support for her family during this difficult time.

Linda loved Jesus as her Savior and Lord. She believed that He came to this earth for thirty-three years, having existed from eternity past, not just to live a certain kind of life but to die a certain kind of death. Yes, He lived a perfect life, to be sure, to the glory of His Father but He also died a sacrificial, substitutionary death to atone for her sin and our sin, also to the glory of His Father. One of her favorite verses was ‘These things have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that believing you may have life in His name.’ John 20:31

No amount is too small. Every donation — every gesture of love — matters.

Ongoing Prayers and Support

The Erickson family continues to pray for a miracle, but they are also at peace, trusting in God’s timing and provision. They ask for your continued prayers — for Linda’s comfort, for strength in the waiting, and for God’s presence to surround her as she prepares to meet her Savior.

A CaringBridge page will soon be available for updates, stories, and words of encouragement.

Thank You

Thank you for taking the time to read about Linda’s story. Whether you know her personally or through someone who has been blessed by her, we are all part of the ripple effect of her extraordinary life.

Your support — in prayer, in giving, and in sharing this page — means the world.

Let’s walk with Linda and her family now, in these sacred moments, just as she has walked with so many of us.

With deep gratitude,

Linda’s family and friends