(Joni) Linda Peterson, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away on July 1, 2021 at home in Eugene, Ore., at the age of 67, surrounded by the love of her four children.
Linda was born in Denver, Colorado on Oct. 1, 1953 to Ronald Patrick Peterson and Joan Lee Alice Benshoof, who were waiting to welcome her into Heaven.
Linda had many jobs in her life, from driving dump trucks, to working in the oil fields of Alaska’s North Slope, but in the last 20 years Linda found her passion and calling as an advocate for workers, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations. Linda has been a dedicated Union Organizer for both AFSCME and the IWW. She was a board member and community and labor organizer with the Eugene Springfield Solidarity Network (ESSN) and a founding member of ESSN Careworks, a group that advocates for people who receive care, their families, and frontline caregivers. As an organizer and activist, Linda could often be found in her green AFSCME T-shirt with a picket sign participating in a march or rally along with her fellow activists and organizers. She was a leader, mentor, and friend.
Linda is survived by her four children; Lonnie Douglas, Ronni (Vincent) Martorello, Mischelle (Tom) Douglas, and Shepard Douglas, six grandchildren; Mellissa, Matthew, Haily, Paul, Johnathan, and David, and one great-grandchild, Stanton Jr. She is also survived by her three siblings: Lorri (Chris) Christensen, Russell (Baby) Vaughn, and Lisa (AJ) Niels.
She will be missed but never forgotten. There will be an informal celebration of life at the Peterson Barn Park, 870 Berntzen Road, Eugene on Saturday, July 10 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This will be a potluck luncheon so please bring your favorite dish. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Eugene Springfield Solidarity Network or the ALS Association.
