Linda Jo Mereness lost her long battle with cancer on Dec. 28, 2016, in Fairbanks. She was born Oct. 23, 1941, in Grand Coulee, Washington, to Nell and Manford Cash.
She married Richard Anderson on Oct. 24, 1959, in Spokane, Washington. Linda and Richard had three children, Johanna, Melissa and Eric.
She remarried Gordon Mereness on Aug. 23, 1977, in Delta Junction. She was an active member of the Delta Community, and worked for many years for Paul and Loretta Nistler at Alaska Motor Coaches.
Linda loved traveling and seeing new places, meeting new people and making new friends. She spent the last years of her life as a snow bird, summering in Alaska, and traveling the Lower 48 in her motor home. She was always curious about what lay over the next hill and around the next corner. Her trips were filled with visits to old friends and family, and tales of the new friends that she met along the way.
She was a proud member of the Low RV club, spending many happy winters with her friends at the Low-HI Ranch RV park in Deming, New Mexico.
She was an active member of many service organizations, including the Delta Junction Chapter of the Women of the Moose.
Linda is survived by two daughters, Johanna (Howard Fronek) Anderson, of Fairbanks, and Melissa (Michael Hallstead) Anderson, of Hillsboro, Oregon; one son, Eric Anderson, of Delta Junction; three grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by Gordon Mereness.
Linda was always my friend,, from the first day I landed in Alaska. She will be greatly missed but she will be at peace now. She and Gordon helped TC and me to learn RVing and provided much helpful lessons. God bless you and your family.
I’m am heartbroken to hear of Linda’s passing. She was always very special to me and my family and was a great source of strength to me when I had bouts with cancer. I always looked forward to seeing her when I was in Delta as she was so full of life and great stories. We’d have a beer and catch up. She most has a place in my heart as she was such a joy to Gordon Mereness and it was a delight to watch them max out life– whether fishing/camping or RV-ing. She nursed him until his end and was a devoted wife. I wish I could be there for her service but please know I’m there in spirit and that the entire Sheehan family grieves with you. Linda was a very special lady!!
Linda was a very bright star in our little community. I enjoyed her personality during her time volunteering as hostess at the Sullivan Roadhouse Museum. Was sad to hear of her passing; my heart goes out to her family and friends. A true Alaskan treasure who will be missed.
The photo of Linda in her obituary is just how I remember her; always smiling and with a joke. She worked for Paul and Loretta for many years and she and Paul had a special boss/employee relationship. I regret I didn’t get to see her in her time in Fairbanks, but I’ll always remember her smile and the way she cared for Gordon and the rest of her family. May she be at peace now away from all the pain she endured. God Speed Linda!
Will miss you my friend. Good memories of coffee together when the kids were little and sharing the joys of the Sullivan Roadhouse.