Linda Joy (Miller) Arrell

Linda Joy Arrell—known and loved as “Mama Bear”— passed peacefully into the presence of Jesus on the morning of January 25, 2026, at 6:52 a.m., her hands held by the family she cherished. She was 82 years old.

Born in Cherokee, Oklahoma, to Guy and Beuna Miller, Linda was raised in a home shaped by strength, scouting, and military discipline. Her father, a lifelong scoutmaster and military man, instilled in her the quiet art of being prepared—prepared for storms, for hardship, for responsibility, and for courage. That steady readiness became the rhythm of her life and, in time, the grace with which she faced its final chapter.

She grew up in Lake Oswego, Oregon, graduated from Lake Oswego High School, and earned her degree from Portland State University. Following in her mother’s footsteps, she became an elementary school teacher, nurturing young minds with patience and warmth. Yet her greatest classroom was her own home. As a devoted mother of three and grandmother of four, she taught by example—how to stay young at heart, how to notice beauty in small things, and how to love fiercely and without reservation.

In her later years, Linda found joy and comfort in Seaside, Oregon, living with her son Dustin (“Dusty”) and his wife Jill, alongside Jim and the late Karen Helpingstine. Near the steady rhythm of the ocean and beneath wide coastal skies, she spent her days surrounded by family, laughter, and the quiet peace of togetherness.

Linda’s hands were always creating. She shaped stained glass that caught the sunlight in brilliant color. She poured candles that warmed homes with soft glow. She tended gardens that bloomed faithfully under her care. She was an avid reader and a hopeful author of children’s books—a dream she carried close to her heart throughout her life. Her wit was sharp, her humor often mischievous, and her laughter unmistakable. Even in illness, her sarcasm and spark never dimmed.

She held a lifelong love for simple sweetness—especially lollipops. In one final, tender moment, she boldly asked for a lollipop and shared her last meal of ice cream with her family, savoring not just the taste, but the joy of being together. It was a small celebration of a life that always found delight in simple things.

After years of congestive heart failure and a recent battle with myelodysplasia, Linda chose peace over further invasive treatment. With the same preparedness she learned as a young girl, she faced the end of her earthly journey with courage and faith. On a bright, sunny morning, she met Jesus—ready, whole, and unafraid.

Linda is survived by her children, Dustin Arrell (wife Jill), Kelly McCamont, and Sandra Arrell; her grandchildren, TJ, Ella, Dustin, and Jayden; her nieces, Tori (Midlam) Murray and Emily Robinson; her nephew, Chris Midlam; her sister, Nancy Miller; and her brother-in-law, Mark Robinson. She will be laid to rest with her parents, Guy and Beuna Miller, and lovingly remembered alongside her late sister, Diana Midlam.

A private family ceremony will be held at River View Cemetery in Portland, Oregon, overlooking Mt. Hood.

Linda’s life was a tapestry of strength and tenderness, discipline and delight. She prepared for life, she embraced it fully, and when the time came, she was prepared for eternity.

She now rests in the radiant presence of Jesus, free from pain and embraced by everlasting love. As Revelation 21:4 promises, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

In that promise, her family finds comfort and unshakable hope—trusting that one day, beyond sorrow and beyond time, they will see her again, laughter bright, arms open, and light all around her.

In Linda's own words....

I was born in 1943 when my father was in world war II, serving in France. My sister Diana and I, with Mom, lived with my grandparents in Manson Washington on lake Chelan. When my dad returned, I was about age three, we lived in Portland until my dad joins the boy scouts and was sent to White plains, New York. I was about 5 then. My grandfather, Cal Brown, passed away and “Grammie” Mona Brown, came to live with us. A couple years later we moved to Mt. Kisco, New York and we were there until I was 10. At that time, Daddy was transferred to Eugene, Oregon and we lived in Eugene until I was 14. That is when I joined the girl scouts.

During all these years we were very family-oriented, yearly camping trips, We had our first dog, astray we called spotty. Then we got bingo. They both were very attached to my mom. I went to grade school in Eugene, and also Middle School. When I was 14, Daddy was transferred to the Portland office. We lived in lake Oswego and I graduated from high school in 1961 at age 17. During my senior year I worked at my first job at and Palmer bakery, located in the Safeway near our home. For the first year after high school I worked out of hamburger joint. I also started college at Portland State and joined a sorority called Tri-Delta. I was there for 2 years when our church was offering scholarships to national college in Kansas City, Mo. My best friend Jackie Martin and I applied and were accepted. Actually, she was there for a year before I went.

I remembered that year as one of the major highlights of my life. I was a junior, join the cheerleading squad, saying in a small group, and was voted to be spring May Queen. The sad part was the school was closed down after the year I was there. Being adventure seekers, Jack and I transferred to Lambeth college in Jackson, Tennessee. I didn't like it there so only stayed half the year then went back to K.C. got a job and work there until the year was over then went home to Portland with Jackie. Once I was home I went back to Portland State to finish college, getting a major in psychology and a minor in sociology. I got a teaching certificate for the next 6 years taught second grade at Humboldt elementary. I love the kids and teaching in general. Well teaching, I'm at Richard Arrell and got married. 3 years later I quit teaching because I was pregnant with Dustin Giles arrow who was born on November 30th 1972. 2 years later Kelly Ray Arrell was born on March 1st 1975. And Sandra Joy Arrell 2 years later on February 19th 1977. During those years we lived in southeast Portland then in southwest of Taylors ferry Road, eventually we moved into quail Park and lived there several years until my divorce. While living there I worked with Richard's accounting firm doing key punching for his billing. When I was married I did a lot of crafts, candle making and a especially stained glass. I got some commission for it but the highlight of it all was making the state of the Oregon seal for Victor Atiyeah when he was our governor.

After my divorce, I worked for a year in an inventory company. Just before my divorce, my mom passed away from heart failure. She was born Beune Franchion Brown on October 29th, 1909 and died the day before Mother's Day, May 11th, 1991. One year later my dad had open heart surgery, went into a coma and never came out of it. He was born Guy Packer Miller on May 22nd, 1912 and died the day after Father's Day on June 22nd, 1992. At this time I had a job in sales at a store in Lake Oswego,”Kids for sure Sportswear for her”. I was living then in an apartment a block from work. A couple years later I moved to sellwood where I shared a rented home with Dusty and Sandy and Dusty's best friend. We live there a year when my dad died. My sister Diana moved into the Old homestead and took care of closing out his will. I looked for another job and ended up working for the Emporium in Oregon City. That was probably my favorite job.

I found out that I was to receive a goodly amount of inheritance for my dad and with Diana's help I purchased the new manufactured home and it was placed on may Hazel Lane off 82nd avenue. It was perfect! About 10 minutes to work and close to shopping and everything I needed. Life was good, I loved it there. Life got even better as my grandchildren came along. Tara Joy Arrell/Dobroth and Ella Norman from Sandy and Aaron, and Dustin McCamont and Jayden  McCamont from Kelly and John. I love that job, did well and work there until it close 10 years later. For short time I worked for my old boss from emporium, Mike Reynolds at a thrift store sorting and selling used clothing, ect. It was a hard year. My daughter had an accident with my car coming home from a slumber party, totaled the car but thankfully was not injured. I then had no car and had to take buses to work and home. It wasn't fun.

It's hard looking for a job when you're in your 50s but I finally scored, getting a job with Norm Thompson in downtown Portland and transferred to the Gresham store after I finally got a new car. My boss was Wendy Mitome, best boss ever me I work there until I retired. I spent a lot of time with my grandkids, spending time with them when the moms were at work I spent two years with Tara as her instructor as she completed the necessary work to complete Junior high School. It was hard work but I really enjoyed it. Ella and I must have played about a thousand Uno games. Jayden and Dustin and I watched a lot of SpongeBob. We had loads of fun together.

I've had two cats and two dogs. When I lived on may Hazel I had a white cat ”stinky” and a golden name Newton. Stinky got sick and died in Newton just got old. Sandy talked me into getting a puppy, a  Shepherd named Gyptsy, such  a sweetie but had health problems and I had to have her put to sleep. A year later I got a rescue dog, Eddie, a Chihuahua mix. He was a great little dog, but also with health problems. However he persevered, endured it all and except for the expense, I wouldn't have changed having him, I loved him so much, still do. He lived to the age of 17 in his poor little body just gave out. Having him put to sleep with one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.

A year after I got Eddie, we were taking a walk around the neighborhood and saw a small house for sale on Lamphere Street. It was the perfect size for me and Eddie. Beautiful big yard, lots of growing space and I do love to garden. Long story short, I bought it and we lived there happily for 11 years.

While we were there, I volunteered each week at a children's rescue mission, sorting clothing and food goods for families broken apart. It made me feel good to give something back, God had been so good to me. Also, my neighbor will harner lost his home to bankruptcy and had no place to live, so I had him move in with me. We got along well and had some fun times. I want to backtrack here to tell you about my best friend Wendy Mitome. She was my boss at the Glad storm Norm Thompson store. When I retired from there, she came to be my roommate in my manufactured home on May Hazel Lane. Then a year later she quit that job and when I moved into my new home, it had a detached studio I could run out. Wendy lived there for a year or so, working at Home Depot. Then her sister talked her into moving back to Illinois, her original home because she wasn't making enough money, couldn't pay the rent and I needed the rent money. I haven't seen her since and although we talk every week it's not the same. I miss her so much.

Let me just say at this point that I have have a very intelligent and creative son. 2 years before I sold my home on lamphere Street, Dusty and his wife Jill bought a large parcel of land in Seaside, Oregon and upgraded a beautiful old home. There was a three-car garage and he and Richie turned one of them into a private residence for me. That is why I sold my home and moved to Seaside. This is the most beautiful place I've ever lived. Large open area, fancy new kitchen with oak bar between living area and kitchen, large flat screen on TV on the wall, lots of storage, not to mention living in the woods with the river running through it. Deer, bald eagles, squ,, and all kinds of friendly critters. I don't think I've ever been so happy. What a wonderful place to retire. Last week I turned 78 and I have no idea how much more time I have, but I want to live it to its fullest doing the things I love to do: spending time with my family and friends, working in my beautiful garden, lots reading and lots of jigsaw puzzles, family dinners, special holidays with the in-laws James and Karen and being thankful to the Lord for all he has given me.

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