Linda Dianne Pershall

Linda Dianne Pershall, age 76, a long-time resident of Albuquerque, was released from the suffering of this world and crossed over to her new existence on Friday July 17, 2026. Linda was beloved by her family and friends and was a loving and attentive wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to many people.

She is survived by her husband, B. Dean Pershall; her daughter, Alaina D. Pershall and her husband and son; and many close friends she considered to be family. She was preceded in death by her parents, a twin brother who died soon after birth, and close friends she considered to be family including her childhood friend Aurora Kinkead and adopted sister Carletta Garcia.

Linda was born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky to Joseph E. Hinton and Dorothy M. Fisher. She came to Albuquerque with her parents at the age of 8. Linda graduated from the University of New Mexico with a Bachelor of Science in nursing, became a Registered Nurse, and started her career at the VA hospital in San Antonio, Texas. Three years later, she transferred to the Albuquerque VA hospital. She met her husband Dean in 1977 at Sandia Church of the Nazarene, and they were soon married in 1978 and welcomed their daughter in 1980.

Linda later worked in home health care and dabbled in real estate. Throughout her work as a nurse, she maintained superior compassion for people, especially for the elderly, and she specialized in complicated wound care. In later years she worked to advocate for victims of nursing home abuse and neglect by reviewing medical malpractice cases, serving as an expert witness, and even helped to change state laws. She was also often called upon to lend her nursing skills to the injuries of energetic neighborhood children and family pets, including some mischievous horses.

In later years, she enjoyed her home on the west side of Albuquerque surrounded by the most amazing neighbors. Her most cherished times were spent with her grandson. Her grandson will always value the time spent cooking with his grandmother, learning her secret recipes, enjoying fresh peaches from the backyard, and practicing artwork and story writing.

Throughout her life, Linda was always willing to provide a meal for someone in need or sit with someone going through a difficult time and was loving and gracious to all people regardless of background. Celebrating birthdays and holidays was always important, and she would encourage us all to continue to celebrate life by enjoying every holiday and birthday with friends and family. Feast at Thanksgiving, dress up for Halloween and give kids the biggest candy bars you can find, light fireworks (safely) on the fourth of July, cook with your kids and grandkids, hug your family and your pets, care for the sick and elderly,

enjoy the flowers, savor the fresh peaches of summer, and show people you care by offering a meal and support.

While she struggled with many health problems, Linda had unwavering faith in God and faced death fearlessly. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 1 p.m., at West Mesa Christian Church, 8821 Golf Course Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114. Rather than wear the dark colors of mourning to the service, we encourage attendees to celebrate Linda’s life and love of art and color by wearing bright colors, particularly tie dye.

In lieu of flowers, Linda’s daughter would like to encourage you to honor Linda the Registered Nurse by donating to the Cancer Research Institute, https://www.cancerresearch.org/ways-to-give. Loss of life to a terrible disease is a reminder of the importance of medical research and healthcare. Linda’s daughter encourages you to honor Linda and other health care workers and scientists by protesting the Administration’s opposition to science and the terror and suffering they create by defunding organizations like the World Health Organization and National Institutes of Health which are essential to preventing disease, pandemics, and finding cures for the worst of diseases.