Linda Gaye (Dwight) Ness passed away peacefully on July 23, 2026, at the age of 80. Linda was born on December 6, 1945, to Allan and Myrtle (Rowe) Dwight. She grew up in Custer, WA, where she attended school. The following words were shared by one of Linda’s dearest childhood and lifelong friends, whose friendship spanned a lifetime and reflected the deep love and respect they shared: Linda was never afraid to tell you exactly what she was thinking. She stood her ground, never taking flak from anyone, and faced life with remarkable strength and determination. Her honesty, resilience, and spirited nature were among the many qualities that made her so deeply loved and impossible to forget. She made lifelong friends during her school years, staying connected over the decades and always looking forward to their monthly "reunion lunches" in Ferndale. As a child, Linda had a beloved dog named Pal who was one of her first pets. Her love of animals continued throughout her life, caring for many pets over the years.

Linda met James "Jim" Ness at the Ferndale skating rink in the fall of 1961. Their romance quickly blossomed, and they were married on February 3, 1962. Together they shared 64 wonderful years of marriage, building a life filled with love, family, and lasting memories. As newlyweds, they made their home in Kirkland, Washington. In 1969, they moved to Blaine, Washington, where they lived for more than 50 years, becoming a cherished part of the community, they proudly called home.

Linda was an avid gardener who took immense pride in her yard and tended her flowerbeds meticulously. During her working years, she worked at several popular establishments in Blaine, such as Thrifty Market, Kings Inn, and Vista Pizza. Well-known and deeply loved by many, she was so popular while waitressing at Vista Pizza that patrons would often wait specifically for a table in her section, even when other tables were open. She was naturally social and had a flair for making everyone laugh and feel welcome.

Linda was the heart of her home, famously never locking the front door so it would always be open for anyone to drop by unannounced. Visitors could always count on her to provide baked treats, a hot meal, plenty of laughter, or a comforting shoulder to lean on. These drop-in visits frequently ended with the table being cleared for a game to two of cards; nothing pleased her more than people enjoying her food and staying to play some games.

She filled her days with many passions, including sewing, gardening, canning, playing cards, and baking. Additionally, Linda and Jim shared a love for hot rods, owning a few over the years and attending car shows together. Linda had a real need for speed, and when she got behind the wheel, she wasn't afraid to smoke the tires and give onlookers a show. If she wasn’t hot-rodding around Blaine and Birch Bay, she could often be found at the wheel of her tractor doing yard work or tending fires. In retirement, she expanded her passions to include growing gorgeous dahlias and quilting. Over the years, she made each person in her immediate family a custom quilt featuring a special patch inscribed with a personal note from her.

Above all, Linda had a special gift for connecting with everyone she encountered. She was usually the life of the party and proudly the last one to leave.

She is survived by her loving husband, Jim; children, Melinda (Jennifer) Ness and Brenda (Bob) Torset; grandchildren, Taysia (Ryan) Seiler, Hayley (Jon) Hopkins, and Delaynee (fiancé Dylan) Bice; and great-grandchildren, Rylie and Logan (Taysia), Cordel (Delaynee), and Graham and Georgie (Hayley). She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and many dear friends.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents and her sisters, Eileen Fenton and Marlene Talman, and her brothers, Dale Dwight and Floyd Dwight.

A celebration of life will be held on September 11, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Cannery Lodge at Semiahmoo (9261 Semiahmoo Parkway, Blaine, WA 98230). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Whatcom Hospice or the Haynie Cemetery.

Linda’s Legacy: Though small in stature, she was big in personality and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.