Linda Rae Pence

Linda Rae Pence 70, of Cave Junction passed away August 8, 2008 at Three Rivers Community Hospital following a long battle with lung disease and a recent fall. No Services are planned at this time Donations in Linda’s memory can be made to the American Lung Association at 61 Broadway Street, New York, New York, 10006 Linda was born in Seattle, Washington to June and John Dougherty on April 26, 1938 and was the first of 4 children. Upon graduating from High School at age 19 she met and married Samuel “Ben” Pence after a whirlwind 3 day courtship, they were married for 50 years until Ben’s death in October 2007. She and Ben raised their family in the Susanville area, where they made their home for 15 years. They had 2 natural children, Kimberly and Mark as well as 1 foster son, RJ Wilkinson who they always thought of as their own. After a short time in the Delta they moved to Yucca Valley, CA and finally to Cave Junction, Oregon. Linda worked for 25 years for Bank of America until her retirement in 1987 in Yucca Valley, CA, at that time she opened and ran her own ceramic shop and cared for her ailing father. In 1993 she and Ben relocated to Cave Junction and began working for Fire Mountain Gems as well as bookkeeping for Ben’s appliance repair business. Linda will be remembered for great love of animals and compassion for those in need. Linda is preceded in death by her loving husband Ben, her parents June, John and step-mother Faye Dougherty as well as an infant brother. She is survived by two brothers, John Dougherty of Texas, Mike Dougherty of California; her children, Kimberly Ritola of Ft. Jones, CA, Mark Pence of Alturas, CA, RJ Wilkinson of Simpsonville, SC and their spouses. 7 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren who will all greatly miss her.