Obituary

Linda Marie Stamberger
Resident of Laguna Niguel, CA
May 5, 1958 – January 14, 2025

Linda Marie Stamberger (Talcott), a beloved wife, mother and grandmother, entered into heavenly rest on January 14, 2025 in Laguna Beach, CA. She is survived by her husband Robert “Rob” Stamberger, daughter Shelby Heisler (Matthew), granddaughter Varenna, mother Elizabeth Talcott, siblings Sue Corse, Steve Talcott, Mike Talcott (Janet), Paula Gluck (Jim) and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father Wayne and sister Cathie Talcott. Linda was born in Davenport, IA, the eldest of the six Talcott children. She lived in Carmel, IN, and Lombard, IL, before moving to Farmington Hills, MI. She graduated from North Farmington High School in 1976 and Michigan State University in 1980 with a degree in Advertising. Linda worked for the Detroit Free Press in marketing before moving to Southern California in 1984.

Linda continued her career in marketing and advertising for the Orange County Register and Los Angeles Times until retiring in 2000 to be a full-time mom. During that time, she developed a wide network of close friends, colleagues, and clients. Linda and Rob met in 1992 through a mutual friend and married in 1994 with a memorable ceremony in Laguna Beach, CA.  They recently celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. Shelby was born in 1997. Their family also included two adorable Bernese Mountain Dogs, Chamois and Whiskey.

Linda loved to travel and be outdoors even when her Multiple Sclerosis began progressing. She traveled with friends to the Northeast and on a Caribbean cruise. She and Rob spent two weeks in Italy before Shelby was born. As a family, they traveled extensively on the West Coast, visited several national parks, took a cruise to Alaska, spent countless nights at Disneyland, returned to Michigan for family reunions at Christie Lake, and made several trips to Hawaii. She also let Rob convince her to go skydiving! She enjoyed skiing, hiking, traveling, basking in the sun, bonfires at the beach, and simply spending time with family and friends. She often “held court” on her driveway in Laguna Niguel with impromptu gatherings of neighbors.

Despite battling MS for more than 35 years, Linda never let it keep her from joining friends and family at countless gatherings to share stories and laughs. She inherited her father Wayne’s love for art, and her Winnie the Pooh drawings will be passed down for generations to come. She was an Anaheim Ducks original season ticket holder and loved watching the team on TV and attending games when she could. She had a passion for cooking and baking and was always looking for new recipes to try. Linda’s Christian faith was important to her and she was very involved with Rock Hills Church and, later, Compass Bible Church where the entire family was baptized. She established close relationships with many people at both churches that continued throughout her life.

Linda will be remembered for her ever-present gentle smile, dignity, grace, fortitude, and insistence on living a happy, normal life despite her physical limitations. She was a caring soul who exuded joy and always brought smiles to everyone around her. She will be missed dearly by family and friends. She was truly beautiful inside and out.

A celebration of life will be held at Compass Bible Church, 150 Columbia, Aliso Viejo, CA on Friday, February 21, 2025 at 9:30am with a reception to follow.