Linda Lee Walsh

Linda Lee Walsh, age 85, passed away on March 6, 2026, at her home in Petaluma, California. A Funeral Service will he held on Wednesday, March 18 at 11:00 am at Parent-Sorensen Mortuary & Crematory in Petaluma.

Linda was born June 6, 1940, in San Francisco, California, to Lou and Mary Killian. She spent her childhood in Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Mojave, California. She attended boarding schools in Switzerland and Santa Barbara for high school. She traveled through Europe extensively as a young woman and earned a Bachelor’s degree in French from Pomona College in 1961. She did her graduate work at the University of California in Berkeley.

Linda married Jay Walsh on March 5, 1966 and started a family in San Francisco. They had two children, Mary Lisa and John. Linda taught high-school French, English and History, first in Laguna Beach and later in the Bay Area. Linda passed on her love of language to her children, who both became writers.

Linda raised Arabian horses, first in San Luis Obispo County with her parents, then in Sonoma County. A passion formed during her childhood in Saudi Arabia, her love of the desert horse stayed with her and took root in her daughter as well. The family eventually moved to Petaluma, converting an old dairy to a horse property. Linda loved to renovate and build. She renovated two homes in San Francisco and, over many years, converted an old farmhouse in Petaluma into a gracious residence.

Linda and Jay carried on the travel habit. Together and with their children they visited many places, including Russia, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Italy, Canada and Great Britain. They returned to France often, spending time in both Paris and the Loire Valley.

Linda was a loyal and generous friend. Whether she had known you all her life or only met you recently, she was happy for your company and ready to help. She loved her family, her friends and her horses and she held them close.

Linda is survived by her husband and children, her daughter-in-law Marilyn and her grandchildren Jack and Charlie Walsh. An only child, Linda was close with her maternal cousins Cathy Bennigson, Rusty Franklin, Vicky Cleveland and Valerie Wilson. She is survived by Cathy and Rusty.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org) or your local SPCA.