Barbara Lane Linford

Our Beloved Barbara Lane Linford, age 85, passed away on May 29, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, devotion, sacrifice and faith. She was surrounded by her loved ones in her home in Gilbert, Arizona. Barbara was a loving and devoted wife and an exceptional mother to her five children (four sons and one daughter). She was a wonderful grandmother to her 22 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Barbara poured her heart into her home and family.

Barbara was born in the Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, New York to Karl Heinrich Schulze and Olga Margaretha Sablowsky. She was the first generation American born. Barbara was introduced to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of 13 by her friend, that changed the course of Barbara’s life. Barbara was impressed with their high standards and drawn to the family values she saw in her friend’s homes. Barbara wanted to be baptized when she was 14 but her mother declined to give her permission at that time. Barbara continued to attend the church regularly and graduated from high school in Alameda, California in 1957. She went to college at San Francisco State and worked at Standard Brands in San Francisco in the accounting department. She was saving money to go to Brigham Young University (BYU) even though she was not officially a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints yet, she was a member in her heart.

Barbara was accepted to BYU in Provo, Utah in the Fall of 1958. She met Ron Linford in October and their first date was on Valentine’s Day February 14, 1959, and cupid was there! Ron gave her the missionary lessons and baptized Barbara on May 10th, 1959. They became engaged on May 29th and were married in the Los Angelos Temple on September 16, 1959.

Barbara was an exceptional mother and she always went out of her way to make every special occasion so magical for her children as well as always being there for the simple things. She instilled in her children a love of reading by taking them to the library often, and on fun trips to the zoo, letting them pick out their favorite cookies in the cookie book for her to make. Barbara loved establishing traditions in her family for the holidays, birthdays, first days of school, family vacations, and family reunions.

Barbara was passionate about being organized, loved to do genealogy, temple work, reading, travel with her husband, and spending time with her children and grandchildren who lived in four different states. She looked forward to Ron and Barbara Linford Family Reunions every two years. Barbara also loved going on her “Women’s Only Trips” and walking with her friends.

Barbara also served in many positions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints including: the Primary Presidency, Young Women’s Advisor, Relief Society President and by her husband’s side as he served as Bishop from 1970-79. Barbara also served an 18-month mission with Ron on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah from 2003-05. She also served as a scribe to her husband, the Stake Patriarch, for 19 years, in Gilbert, Arizona.

Barbara was an angel, always serving others and always putting the needs of others ahead of herself. She will be dearly missed by all! Gone from our sight but never from our hearts. And we will all look forward to seeing Barbara again one day.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Ronald G Linford; their five children, Clay (Penny), Cheryl, John (Monae), Newel (Marlowe), and Ryan (Erin); 22 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and a half-sister (Catherine Edwards).

Services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Link to the funeral broadcast: https://www.youtube.com/live/LFLo18C5LbU