Obituary of Linda Sue (Saylor) Bright

Linda Sue (Saylor) Bright passed away August 24, 2023, at home in Lacey, Washington, after a long battle with cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma).  She was born May 14, 1952, to Richard John Saylor Sr. and Phyllis Joan (Wise) LaFontaine at McLaren General Hospital in Flint, Michigan.

 

A Lacey resident for over 28 years, she lived in Flint in the 1950s; Munich, Germany in the 1960s; Oklahoma in the mid-1960s; Dupont, Washington (1968-1975); Baumholder, Germany (1975-1977); San Antonio, Texas (1977); Aurora, Colorado (1977); Ft. Lewis/Madigan (1977-1984); Landstuhl, Germany (1984-1989); Ft. Sam Houston, Texas (1989-1992); back to Ft. Lewis/Madigan (1992-1995); and finally to Lacey in 1995.

 

Due to her family’s military travels, Linda spent most of her educational tenures at numerous locations in the U.S. and overseas.  She attended Beecher Public Schools and Milford Elementary in Geary County, Flint, Michigan; Muir Middle School; and Milford Junior/Senior High School through sophomore year.  The family moved to Dupont in 1968, where Linda attended and graduated from Wendell B. Laughbon High School on June 3, 1970.  She attended some college at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington, right after high school, but decided to follow her dream and pursue local theater throughout Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Fort Lewis, and Centralia, Washington.  She obtained an Associate of Arts and Science Degree at Pierce College on August 14, 2003, and then later in life returned to the classroom and obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theater from The Evergreen State College in Olympia on June 15, 2007.

 

Linda married Alvin Bright on August 15, 1975, while in Baumholder, and became a military wife for 22 years, supporting her husband throughout his military career and educational achievements. As an Army wife, she worked as an assistant director and stage manager during the touring play of 1976 in Baumholder, Germany. 

 

In addition to theater, Linda was a Para Educator for early childhood learning at numerous military installations in the U.S. and Germany, as well as a few civilian school programs.  She worked as an employee at a cleaners, providing services for military and civilian communities. She also worked for the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) on and off from the 1970s into the 2000s.

 

Linda loved singing, acting, sewing, reading, writing, gardening, cooking, and dancing. She loved spending wedding anniversaries at Pacific Beach; coaching Little League T-ball, softball and basketball; and being a mother and grandmother, especially enjoying hanging out with her grandchildren.

 

Linda consistently displayed kindness, creativity, thoughtfulness, respect, and was very intelligent.  She always encouraged her family members to not give up and to achieve their goals and dreams. She will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her.

 

She is survived by her husband, Alvin Bright of Lacey; son, Colin Christopher Bright (Veronica Ribeiro) of Tumwater, Washington; daughter, Alisha Suzanne (Bright) Doucette (John Swanson Doucette) of Lacey; brothers, David Scott Saylor of Tumwater and Richard John Saylor II of Flint, Michigan; sister, Susan Kay “Susie” Cabigting (Sean Fidel Cabigting) of Tacoma, Washington; and grandchildren, Lua Ribeiro Bright, Rayna Ribeiro Bright, Lillia Symone Doucette and Oliver Henry Doucette.  She was predeceased by her parents, Richard John Saylor Sr. and Phyllis Joan (Wise) LaFontaine; maternal grandparents, Erma J. Tracy Wise Pierce and George Collins Wise; paternal grandparents, Henry Frank Saylor and Laura Pickett; and niece, Sally Ann Jones.

 

As Linda requested, there will be a celebration of her life on Sunday, September 24, 2023, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Lacey Community Center, 6729 Pacific Ave. SE, Lacey, WA 98503. 

 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Fred Hutchison Cancer Center to continue finding a cure for Cholangiocarcinoma, the disease Linda endured, or to the Olympia Children’s Theater.

 

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