Linda Jean Whitehead Gibson

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, partner, sister, aunt, and friend Linda Jean Whitehead Gibson on September 17th, 2021.

Linda was the second child born to Harold Whitehead and Gloria Jean Hackwell Arnold in Salt Lake City, Utah on July 11th, 1955. She lived her entire life in Chesterfield which is a suburb of West Valley City. Here she raised her three children: Jesse, Misty and Levi Gibson along with lots of farm animals which included cattle, sheep, chickens and tending to her yearly gardens.

Linda had an incredible work ethic. She was not one to be idle. Even up until her illness, she was working odd jobs to stay busy. She was always helping others. In fact, it would be fair to say that her calling in life was that of being of a mother and caretaker. She cared for her Aunt Dorothy for 40 years along with her Son Jesse until his passing and then at the end of her life, three of her grandchildren. Everything she did was for her family and Larry. Their needs always came first. Linda had the biggest heart this way. She sacrificed everything to make sure they had what they needed.

Her hobbies included camping and fishing. Her favorite spots included Trial Lake, Mill Hollow Reservoir and Malad, Idaho. Linda loved going to concerts which included seeing Billy Ray Cyrus, George Strait, Clint Black, Wynonna Judd and Carrie Underwood to name a few.

Linda loved traveling to new places. In fact, the highlight of her life was when she got to go to Hawaii with family. This trip was talked about often along with the trip she took with family to Disneyland and San Diego. Linda and her sister Bonnie were always taking their children and grandchildren to go do things which included going to the Utah State Fair, the Hogle Zoo, The Living Planet Aquarium, Wheeler Farm, Lagoon and Antelope Island. She also loved traveling to Arizona with Larry to see his family and visiting Yellowstone and Bear World with Larry, her children and grandchildren.

Linda was a gambler!! Triple 7’s were her lucky numbers! She loved going out to Wendover. She loved the slot machines and her favorite one was sitting in front of a party spin game or playing at the tables. She could spend hours in the casino. It was her second home. She would always say “if you want to win big you have to play big or go home!” She loved going to Las Vegas with family and eating at Swish which was a must every time she went. The car rides down and back were epic! She also loved going to Wyoming to the horse races and playing the slot machines at the Horse Palace!

Another activity Linda loved doing was playing cards with her family. Shit on your neighbor was her favorite game!! There were no friends at the card table!! There were lots of laughs, lots of swear words and lots of fun when all the families got together to play. Linda was such a great sport when it came to teasing!! She was the life of the party!! She also enjoyed playing board games with her grandchildren. Linda was big on celebrating the holidays with her family and making sure birthdays and Christmas were special for her family.

She acquired many different nicknames throughout her life, most notably “Miss Piggy” courtesy of her grandkids, “Slick & Billy Ray” by her nephew Jordan, “Whitetop, White Wizard, Rex and Ricky” by her nephew in law Seth!

Larry was the love of Linda’s life and the best thing that ever happened to her. Men like Larry don’t come around often. We will be forever in Larry’s debt for the love, devotion and care he gave Linda the entire time they were together and especially the last 4 years of Linda’s life. He stood by her side caring for her night and day till the very end. And to her sister Bonnie who was her best friend, words can’t describe the love Linda felt for Bonnie, for all she did for her throughout her life, helping her get through the tough times and all the wonderful adventures they had together. Both of them looked out for one another their entire lives and especially the past two years while she was battling her illness. Mom never left her side and was loyal and dedicated in making the trip to Salt Lake multiple times a week to be a source of comfort to her and attend to her needs.

We love you Linda. You are going to be sorely missed. But we know you are reunited with Jesse now and other loved ones who have passed on who have been waiting for you, who respected and loved you for all you did for them. Rest in peace and we will see you again!

Linda is survived by her partner Larry Tso; children Misty and Levi Gibson; grandchildren Savannah, McKenzie, Austin and Brielle Gibson; stepchildren Cody and Shaley Tso; sister Bonnie (Darrell) Thomas of Kamas, Utah; brother Jack (Mary Ann) Whitehead, Magna, Utah and nieces Tiffany (Seth) Hamblin, Melissa Whitehead and nephews Kurt, Jordan (Danica), Beau and Greyson Thomas, and step-granddaughter Azaidea Tso.

Linda is preceded in death by her parents, son Jesse Gibson, her aunt Dorothy Scoggin and nephew Jason Whitehead.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, September 23rd from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Rd. (10600 S.), Sandy. Graveside services to follow at 12:00 PM at Murray City Cemetery, 5490 S. Vine St., Murray.