Linda Irene Nyquist

Linda Irene Nyquist passed peacefully in her home on Monday July 11th. Surrounded by many who loved her. She was born November 28th 1944 in Kirkland WA. The family moved to California where they lived on an apple orchard with lots of animals. She grew up there, attending school but then grew out, moving to...  see moreLinda Irene Nyquist passed peacefully in her home on Monday July 11th. Surrounded by many who loved her. She was born November 28th 1944 in Kirkland WA. The family moved to California where they lived on an apple orchard with lots of animals. She grew up there, attending school but then grew out, moving to Mexico. An Entrepreneur she had run a Bed and Breakfast on Capitol hill for over 40 years. Taking in guests from around the world Linda had friends from all walks of life and many countries and she kept in touch with all of them. Her address book had no end and when being told of her passing, everyone mentioned her intellect, witty humor and kindness. What a legacy. Learning was a passion. She went to several universities in Mexico; the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico in Mexico City and the University of the Americas in Cholula, Puebla. While there she socialized with everyone, be that the upper echelons or villagers in rural communities. Back to California where she earned a master’s degree in teaching from the College of Notre Dame in Belmont, California. She also earned a doctorate from the University of Leeds, majoring in medical anthropology. Stanford University fit in somewhere. She never stopped learning, though, as evidenced by her remarkable library. As her health deteriorated, her interest in learning did not, as evidenced by all the books surrounding her bed. It was important to Linda to share what she learned from education and life so she developed a program of continuing education for nurses and other medical professionals which exposed us to different cultural approaches to health care in cities and areas with few resources. The courses involved on site tours and lectures in countries ranging from Mexico and other southern American areas to Sweden. Having gone to one of the classes as a guest, I can only say how impressive and enlightening it was and how it embodied her appreciation of cultures and how they supported their people. As if she didn’t already have a multitude of friends growing up in California, going to multiple universities and working in many fields, just add hundreds of students who appreciated the knowledge and compassion she shared. In the early 1980’s Linda moved back to Seattle to be with her parents…our gain. She had friends from all walks of life and many countries and she kept in touch with all of them. Her address book had no end and when being told of her passing, everyone mentioned her intellect, witty humor and kindness. What a legacy. While Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur Nyquist and Irene Blaney Nyquist, she is survived by several cousins and a godchild, Leslie Bennett. Through the years she came to love other young people who became “unofficial” godchildren: Amelia Wasil, Dana Duthie, Rikard and Ruben Roupe and Rosa Maria Porras Romero in Mexico. And of course, Ben Munoz, who became a very special person in her later years. We will all miss her. Let us not overlook her other passion. Throughout her whole life, she rescued many dogs and cats. She always said that was why we became friends. In lieu of flowers it would be a great tribute to donate to an animal rescue organization.