Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Alisa Linton


 
Alisa Johnson Linton, 36, passed away peacefully in her home in Lehi, Utah on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 on the morning of her 15th wedding anniversary to her middle school sweetheart, Joshua Linton.  Her three boys and beloved husband were by her side.  

Alisa was born in Mesa, Arizona on January 18, 1979.  She was the second of nine children born to Paul and Jill Johnson.  She spent much of her enchanted childhood in the country in Paradise, Utah.  Her family later moved to Sandy, Utah.  She was a successful and well-loved student at Jordan High School and later Ricks College where she earned her Associate of Science in Nursing.  After earning her degree, she worked as a Registered Nurse.  On May 19, 2000, Alisa married Joshua James Linton in the Salt Lake Temple.  She finished a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Brigham Young University.  
 
She accomplished many things in her short lifetime.  She was an excellent student, a dedicated nurse, a talented photographer, a poetic writer and a courageous cancer patient.  But her favorite role was mother.  The same bold determination that characterized all her pursuits also defined her commitment to her boys, James, Sam and Luke.  Of them she said, "I have given three wonderful children life, but I can't shake the feeling that in some strange ways, they have given me mine."
 
Alisa was an artist and everything she touched became beautiful.  She had a gift for photography and many of her friends and family own treasured images that she captured for them.  Alisa loved to travel and experience first hand the beauty of God's creations, but she didn't need to travel to find beauty.  Her idea of the perfect summer evening was to watch her kids and dog playing in the water hole in the park. She loved to decorate, garden, cook and entertain and did it all with ease, style and love. She could also see the good and beautiful in the people she loved as well as those she had just met.  She was compassionate and would draw upon experiences of her own hard times to know just how to help a friend in need.  She was a true disciple of Christ.
 
Cancer opened her eyes and then her inspiring writing opened ours.  On her blog, she reminded us to be grateful"to share more," to pray, to "appreciate now," and that "love is what makes us happy."  She showed us how to love life unconditionally, to trust, to share your life with someone.  She learned that "the way out is through," that "the world is kind and good," to believe in miracles and that sometimes miracles sing.
 
Alisa is survived by her loving husband; Joshua James Linton, and three sons; James Michael, Samuel Kent, Luke Joshua, her parents; Paul and Jill Johnson, siblings; Sonja (Robert), Jon Paul (Bryanna), Michael (Amy), Matthew (Brittany), AnneMarie (Nathan), Kari (Bryon), Mark (Amanda), Kirsten (Alex), and grandmother; Donna Washburn as well as many adoring in-laws, nephews and nieces, cousins, aunts and uncles.

The family wishes to thank all the people who have reached out in love and support to them throughout Alisa's fight.  They especially wish to thank the many doctors and nurses at the Huntsman Cancer Institute for their dedicated care.  Alisa had a special place in her heart for her nurses.  
 
Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Friday May 22, 2015 at the Lehi East Stake Center at 851 N 1200 E.  A viewing will be held on Thursday evening from 5:30-8:00pm at the same location as well as from 9:30 to 10:30 Friday morning.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Alisa's name.  https://donate.huntsmancancer.org/alisa-linton

46 comments:

  1. Such a beautiful tribute to one of the most beautiful individuals I was privileged to know and love.

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  2. Beautiful words, my prayers are with your family at this time and always. I have learned so much from her example and her way with words. Anyone who has read her blog has left always coming back she had such a way of touching lives.

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  3. Our love to you and your family!!

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  4. Such a beautiful and lovely woman. It has been a blessing in my life to know Alisa and her loving family. <3

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  5. Such a beautiful and touching tribute to Alisa! So sweet that she held on to her wedding anniversary. Her whole life was a gift to all who knew her. I am so grateful I got to know her during our study abroad time in Mexico during nursing school. My heart goes out her whole family as they grieve her passing. You'll be in my prayers.

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  6. Such an amazing tribute to Alisa! Prayers for you josh and for your boys!

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  7. Beautifully written! Love you Alisa...until we meet again💕! Thoughts and prayers continue for Josh, your boys and all those who love and mourn this great loss.

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  8. Such beautiful writing. Alisa will continue to inspire us all. I am heartbroken for Josh and the boys, but know that Alisa is now flying with the Angels and is freed from hear earthy body. Our prayers and love will be with your family.

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  9. Rest in Peace Alisa.. Thank you for your words.

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  10. She was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside! To know Alisa was to love her.....so grateful I did! ♥

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  11. What a wonderful tribute to a beautiful lady! Alisa, thank you for graciously sharing
    your journey with us!

    We love you and love your family! May they be buoyed up at this time with sweet memories and the knowledge of eternal families!

    Much Love, Jesse & Leah

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  12. This was so beautiful. Words cannot express everything I am feeling right now. Alisa is such a wonderful and caring person and she was definitely loved by all who knew her. Thoughts and prayers for Josh, and the boys and all her family.
    Laura and Todd Long and Kids

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  13. We will miss this sweet and wonderful Lady. God be with you and watch over your family.
    Never forget how kind and friendly lady you are.
    Till we meet again
    We Love you
    The Urry Family

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  14. Alisa...thank you for touching my life for the better. I am blessed because I knew you.

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  15. This is such a beautiful obituary for a beautiful person. After I read that Alisa had passed away I turned on my Pandora and it was on the tab choir station. Our Saviors Love was being sung by what sounded like angels. What a beautiful, rejoicing reunion that is taking place in heaven today. I'm praying for peace and comfort for your family. I love you Alisa!

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  16. Beautiful, and I loved looking back at all those posts and remembering. It is so symbolic that she passed on her wedding anniversary-a reminder to me that temple marriage is eternal.

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  17. Tonight my 14 year old said something like "when you have a high self esteem then you attract people and they make you become better while you are making them better," and I thought of this sweet lady. She always had such a light about her. You instantly wanted to be a better person, I think partly, because she already thought you were a great person, no matter who you were.

    Then I heard something on the radio that is fitting - "grief is the price of love." May you always remember that love, and may the Lord comfort you in your grief.

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  18. This past week I've been noticing little things that remind me of Alisa. Cherished engagement and newborn pictures. Notes from our daughter's baby blessing that Alisa thoughtfully wrote down. Favorite books picked out for our kid's birthdays. This tribute reminds me of Alisa's beautiful words, her clever humor, and her faithful wisdom.

    Her words this Easter really touched me. "Easter is a reminder of all that I hope for for myself. That some day I will be healed and some day I will be whole. I am not praying that this happens soon, but I am so glad I truly believe in a beautiful afterlife."

    I will always be grateful for these reminders of all she has given to me and our family. Until we meet again, Alisa. Thanks for helping to make me a better person.

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  19. To me, the opposite of Love isn't Hate. It is indifference. When a person shows interest and concern, you feel loved. Every time I was with Alisa, I felt loved. What a gift to make everyone you come in contact with feel that way. I hope I will hug my kids more, step away from my computer to play catch til dark, read to them til my eyes feel heavy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Josh, James, Sam and Luke. What a glorious reunion it will be. Til then, let us all endure righteously to the end.

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  20. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
    She is such a beautiful women and mother

    Much Love,
    From a Fellow Paradise Girl!

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  21. What a beautiful woman! Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with you Lintons.

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  22. This blog is a treasure! Alisa's words have inspired so many people. I loved this tribute to her. It's perfect and inspiring. Thank you. Love to Josh, James, Luke and Sam. Love to all the family. Alisa is something special! I can't thank the Lord enough for the blessing of having her as part of my life.

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  23. What a beautiful tribute to an amazing woman. Sending love and prayers to the Linton and Johnson families. Heaven has gained a powerful angel today.

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  24. Love you Alisa. I have so many fond memories that I will cherish forever. Blessings and comfort to your sweet family.

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  25. God bless your eternal family. I pray He comes sooner than later. I love that she is not in physical pain anymore. I pray for your family thAt you will have the strength to endure faithfully with your boys, till you see your sweet wife. May the windows of heaven be poured out on you. The heavens weaped today for her return today. God speed.

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  26. Thank you Alisa for helping me appreciate the things that matter most in life. These words are a beautiful tribute to you and everything you stood for.

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  27. Alisa is so loved and adored. She has left a huge impression on my heart. What a beautiful tribute. She is such an amazing mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend. I will always be so grateful for all she has taught me and for her sweet friendship. My heart is broken for the Johnson and Linton families. Praying that you may feel peace, comfort and our love.

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  28. I am soooo sad to read this, since Alisa was such an amazing lady!!! I'm sorry that he battle ended, but I know she fought so hard. hugs and prayers and peace for Josh and the boys.. heaven received a new angel...

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  29. The most beautiful and perfect words for an incredible woman. So very blessed to have known Alisa. My thoughts and prayers are with Josh, their boys and family's.

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  30. I feel honored to have known Alisa and know I will always have a part of her through the beautiful photography she did for us. I feel blessed to have seen her at a time, most recently, when she was lively, strong and supporting her children's dreams. She's been so inspiring through it all. Our love and unending support goes out to Josh and the boys, that they will always feel the love and supportive spirit of Alisa. She has left an amazing legacy.

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  31. What a beautifully written tribute, Sonja. To the Johnson family and Josh and boys, I am sending love and prayers and many, many thoughts. Alisa truly is an example of Christlike love and kindness. She was always so genuine to everyone. What a blessing to even be an acquaintance of hers. She put forth such an incredible fight and inspired so many people. What an incredible woman.

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  32. I am so, so sorry for you loss. Alisa was an inspiring and loving person. I know she will live on in her family.

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  33. A beautiful tribute. So sorry for your loss, Josh & kids.

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  34. What a beautiful tribute to Alisa. She has touched so many lives. My thought and prayers are with you and your sweet boys Josh. May you find peace and comfort as you traverse this difficult time. Hugs.

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  35. My sincere and heartfelt condolences. Josh - my prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. May God bless and be with you. All my best - Mark

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  36. We are thinking of you and your family. Trey had been so blessed to be apart of the Avengers team and gotten to know your family. Our prayers are with you.

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  37. Josh, James, Sam and Luke our hearts are drawn out in prayer for all of you. May the Lord bless each of you. Our family sends out our love and condolences. We love you. David

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  38. Sending blessings of peace and light to all of Alisa's family. I've come to know and love her from reading her blog over the past few years. She is a beautiful soul, and has left a lasting legacy of love and strength. With love and condolences, xoxoox

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  39. Please accept condolences from Russia. And forgive me for my wrong English.
    You have one more guardian angel now - most powerful of all. She and the Lord will prepare the way. There is a reason and a work to do on the other side.
    I remember being on one relief society meeting and one sister was sharing an sad occasion when her mother has died and she was at her home sweeping the floors or something, pondering about her mother and about loneliness she’s felt when she’s heard her little daughter in the other room has started to cry because she couldn’t see her mother. Almost without thinking she’s said: “Silly thing, because you can’t see your mother - doesn’t mean she is not here”. Then the Spirit powerfully has helped her to realize what she’s just said and the tears of joy and gratitude came out...

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  40. We love you, Alisa, Josh and boys. We are so lucky to have been touched by wonderful
    Alisa's selfless service and bright spirit despite the challenges this past year. We think the world of you all. Our boys especially want yours to know that our door and cookie jar are always open for you. We pray for you each night & hope you know we care for you. The Radmalls.

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  41. The Jacobs family loves the Linton family!!

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  42. I had never met Alisa, but was a regular reader after stumbling upon her blog about three years ago. I felt like I knew her through her wonderful writing. I would check almost daily looking for one of her optimistic updates. My heart sunk when I saw this post a few days ago. Just know that she touched people she never even met. Merry- Boston

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  43. To Alisa's family and friends - my deepest condolences. I followed Alisa's entries closely. While on holiday these past 2 weeks I toured beautiful churches and cathedrals in Germany, Netherlands, Brussels. During which I would light a candle say prayers for family and friends. In addition at each I lit a candle and entered prayer requests for Alisa and her family during this most difficult time - Rocco, Stage IV since 2005.

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  44. Josh, thinking of you today, our weather is dry, cactus are in full bloom, and our 1st humming bird stopped by for a quick hello.

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  45. I was thinking about alisa today...about how much she loved life. I'm going to try to appreciate this day because of her.

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  46. Although we've never met, I fell in love with your wife through her words and her journey. I am sure today is a difficult day for you and your family- just wanted to know I was thinking of you. Thank you for sharing your journey with all.

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