Linda Sterling Gray passed away peacefully in her home in Grapeview, WA on October 16th after a fourteen year battle with cancer.
Linda was born on December 21st, 1957 in Frankfurt, Germany to Jack and Dorothy Sterling. Linda graduated from Oak Lawn Community High School before enrolling at Illinois Wesleyan University, BFA in Acting, 1980.
In 1979, Linda won the Regional Irene Ryan Acting Award and competed for the Nationals at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. From there, Linda moved to Chicago, Il performing with Blind Parrot Productions from 1984 to 1990.
While in Chicago, Linda married her first husband Douglas Heinlein and had two children, Nicholas and Daniel. The family moved from Chicago, IL to Bainbridge Island, WA in 2003, where Linda returned to local theater at Bainbridge Performing Arts appearing in “The Vagina Monologues” and producing and directing “Helen’s Troy”. She chose to leave her theater career in 2007 to pursue a new passion for photography.
Moving to Grapeview, WA, Linda met her second husband Ron Gray and married on September 6th, 2014. Having been diagnosed with cancer in 2010, Linda retired from work in the years following and spent the majority of her days photographing people and landscapes of the Pacific NW.
Linda lived an exceptionally full and happy life. She adored cooking and baking for her people, enjoyed jazz music and never missed an Oscar or Tony Awards show. The end of her journey was assisted by her husband Ron and best friend Becky Clifton. Her deep spirituality guided her transition.
Through her deep affection of love for those closest to her, Linda gave so many gifts to so many people and her love was reciprocated back by nearly all who crossed her path. She was a truly gracious, giving woman with deep wisdom. She was fiercely intelligent and held a legendary wit. She is survived by her brothers Les and Bob Sterling, first husband Douglas Heinlein and their children Nicholas and Daniel Heinlein, and her life partner husband Ron and their blended family; Lara and Scott Osborn, Joshua and Nicole Gray, Eloise and David Barshes and Nona’s 7 grandchildren.
