Linda Ruth Helwig

Our mom never met a stranger, and if you knew her, you knew that for sure! She had a way of talking to everyone and making people feel like she had known them forever. She was one of a kind, and there will never be another Linda.

Linda graduated from Gridley High School in the Class of 1967. During her senior year, she was given the “Class Flirt” award. Which, again, if you knew her, comes as no surprise! Throughout her lifetime, Linda lived in different states and even lived overseas twice. She loved talking about those times and sharing the stories and memories she made along the way. Linda spent many years helping her parents run their business, with the last being Shirt Works of Yuba City. She was a longtime bowler and loved music, dancing, and going to the casino. She loved being a lefty and even taught herself how to crochet left handed.

She also loved her family history. Linda spent years studying our family genealogy and collecting family photos and facts, including through her work with the LDS Church. She took great pride in knowing where our family came from and preserving those memories for the generations that came after her. Linda loved music and loved to sing. She was the family member that called and sang HAPPY BIRTHDAY to each of us every year. I’m sure we all have a saved voicemail from her singing that to us. She would also sing old time folk songs, as well as ABBA, Barry Manilow, and many others. And, of course, there was her special love for Alvin & The Chipmunks Christmas. But one song will always remind us of Mom. She loved singing “You Are My Sunshine” to all of us, all the time. So now is our turn, because you will always be OUR sunshine.

Linda became NANA in 1988, and that became her favorite title. She loved being a Nana and was so proud to tell everyone that she had 7 grandkids and 13 GREAT grandkids. Her family was her greatest joy, and she loved every one of them with her whole heart. Linda is survived by her children, Diane (Philip), Kara, and Robert (Kaelynn); her seven grandchildren, Jacob (Ashley) and their four children, Brent, Samantha (James) and their four children, Mason and his five children, Alyssa and her beloved pup Monte, Sophia (Noah, fiancé), and Haylie. She is also survived by her sister, Leslee Myers, and her nephew, Jason. Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Les and Della Myers, and her brother, Robert Beck. Most of Linda’s family is California based, with Kara, Brent, and Alyssa living outside of California.

Linda leaves behind so many memories, stories, songs, laughs, and moments that her family and friends will carry with them forever. She was our mom, our Nana, our sister, our aunt, and our friend. She was our Dancing Queen, our family historian, our singer, and the person who never met a stranger. She will be deeply missed, but her spirit will live on in all of us, and especially in the seven grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren she was so proud to tell everyone about. Until we meet again, Mom, keep dancing. And whenever we hear You Are My Sunshine, we'll think of you. You will always be OUR sunshine.

A Celebration of Life will be held in June 2027 at Manuel Vierra Park in Gridley, California. Family and friends will gather to remember Linda, share stories, laugh, cry, and celebrate the life of our beloved Dancing Queen.