Read Linda Lee Tate-Gonding's Obituary & Leave Condolences

In memory of

Linda Lee Tate-Gonding

Coos Bay, OR, USA

April 14, 1947 - September 16, 2020

Apr 14, 1947 - Sep 16, 2020

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Linda Lee Tate April 14, 1947 to September 17, 2020

At her request, no public services will be held, however on September 29th a tribute was held in her honor at her favorite beach in Coos Bay, Bastendorff Beach. There, a few close friends, Sue, Richard, Dori, Tess, Amber, and Elka, along with her cousin Karen, and niece, Crystal, released the combined ashes of Howard, Linda, and Lulu, where all three of them loved to walk and play. It was a beautiful and unusually warm day. They will now be together forever.

Linda was born in Santa Monica but grew up in a home that her grandparents had once lived in. Her mother, Mercedes (Novak) Tate and father, Donald Tate often left Linda in charge of her younger siblings Donna (Pinner) and Kenneth Tate, so she became a caregiver at a very young age. She got married to John Tindel when she was about 20 years old and they divorced a few years later. She never had children of her own but loved her nieces and nephews. Her niece grew up especially close with her, as Linda and her husband had taken in her sister Donna who was just 18 years old when she gave birth to her daughter. Throughout the years, Crystal and Linda spent a lot of time together. Linda loved the beach and often lived near the beach. Crystal loved to visit her and spend time at the beach with her, driving her little convertible MG around town, meeting Howard for Pizza and a bottle of Chianti (Crystal did not partake at that time : )
Linda had style, with her long skirts, large gold-hooped earrings, curly red hair and red lipstick. Linda worked in an office where she met Howard Gonding and she was in love! They spent the next 20 years having their own adventures. They lived in Sacramento for a short time but eventually they converted a school bus into a home on wheels. They put in shelves, a kitchen, the works, and traveled, visiting a lot of family back east before settling in Coos Bay, Oregon. They lived on a docked boat for awhile and then bought a fixer upper in Sumner, Oregon, on a piece of beautiful property surrounded by forest. Linda traded in the fancy clothes for more comfortable (hard work) attire and Howard had his overalls : ) They built a chicken coop, a beautiful garden, and even added on to the bathroom which had a claw foot tub, looking out at the forest. It was so peaceful! It was a hard labor of love and they were often sore and tired, but they were happy. Linda baked bread, Howard baked pies, they had fresh eggs from their chickens and Linda made great salads from the garden. She pickled asparagus and even canned tuna with friends.

Howard had local art showings in town and Linda was taking art classes at the college. Howard did a lot of different jobs over the years and built some amazing things. They even sculpted some pottery. Linda cleaned some of her friend’s homes and worked often alongside Howard. She volunteered for a time at the Suicide Prevention Hot Line. Linda loved her Yoga and was a great cook, but even a more amazing baker, like her Grandma Pauline. She mastered grandma’s special “Nut Rolls” (Kolacky) and even sold them for a brief period of time after Howard passed away to some of the local shops and packaged many personal orders.
Howard and Linda finally wed on January 1, 2001, with a beautiful ceremony and celebration with close family and friends at their home in Sumner, with Lulu walking down the aisle with them. It was an amazing day! Sadly, just two and a half years later, Howard passed away on July 20, 2003. He had been working on their home when he collapsed after having a heart attack. This devastated Linda and her life was never the same. She had to sell their home and moved to Mexico for a brief period. She ended up coming back to the states to live with, and help take care of her mother. Linda did not enjoy living in the Valley but did enjoy being near her family. After Mercedes passed, Linda moved back to Coos Bay. She found a cute 2 BR home to rent with Lulu. A couple years later, Lulu passed, and again she was heartbroken, but she got two kittens, Maxine and Bean. They brought her some joy again. She lived a simple and quiet life, always making lists LOL. Unfortunately, the last few years had not been great to her body and she was in a lot of pain. She was found asleep (natural causes) on her bed, with Maxine curled up against her belly on Thursday, September 17th. Her actual passing was on the 16th and that is the day of the month when her sister Donna had passed away 5 years ago. The family is now all together again.

Linda was a passionate woman, a great cook, who cared for many throughout her lifetime. She loved art, music, reading, the beach, as well as to dance, listen to loud music, watch Ellen, & play “bones” with friends. We will miss you Linda ….and your amazing Kolacky! Rest in PEACE!!

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