Lynda Almeda Starbird, 78
Lynda Almeda Starbird (Combs) passed away in Kootenai County, Idaho, on Dec. 29, 2022, after a lengthy illness.
She was born the daughter of Robert Clinton Combs Sr. and Margaret Alice Layman in Wilmington, Del. Lynda was the last survivor of her siblings: Robert Clinton Combs Jr., James Edward Combs, Violet Geneva Combs Evick Dominick Cameron and Ramona Louise Combs.
She is survived by her husband of 51 years, John “Jack” Palmer Starbird; her four children: Joseph John Starbird, Sheri Maria Starbird Weistaner, Brandi Danielle Starbird, and Wendy Kathleen Starbird; her four grandchildren: Jessica Louise Perry, Corey Robert Starbird, Caycee Pearl Starbird, and Joshua Michael Weistaner; and her first great-grandchild on the way.
Lynda wore the badge of “crazy cat lady” proudly and loved all her animals like they were her children (current mother of nine cats). She was a lifelong Angels baseball fanatic, serving as the head of promotions at Angels Stadium and member of the Board of Directors for the Angels Booster Club. She could be spotted all over the country enjoying ballgames at various Major League Baseball stadiums. Her dream was to attend an Angels game in every MLB stadium, and although she fell short, she attended more than she did not.
Lynda loved to travel the world with her cousin and best friend, Mary Nelson, who was also her partner in crime, slogging through abandoned graveyards searching for clues for their genealogical studies. She was fascinated by space travel and witnessed several in-person NASA space shuttle launches and landings. She dreamed of traveling to Kazakhstan to attend a rocket launch from the Russian Cosmodrome. She also dreamed of viewing the Northern Lights from Iceland.
Lynda was a graduate gemologist in residence of the Gemological Institute of America and an expert on diamond and colored gemstone grading and appraisals. She was an instructor at Santiago College, teaching others about gemology. She was a talented artist, craftswoman, costume maker, gold prospector, avid music lover and connoisseur of 1980s heavy metal music. Her homemade confections (especially her baklava) will be missed by many.
Lynda contributed to many charitable organizations by saving displaced animals, volunteering at local senior centers and helping less fortunate families. She derived extreme pleasure from participating in the annual Angels Booster toy drives and bringing Angels promotional items to local children’s hospitals. Lynda was a generous soul who would give the shirt off her back to anyone in need.
Lynda was well-loved by everyone and will be dearly missed by her family and friends. Her fun-loving nature and adventurous spirit will never be forgotten.
Lynda will be interred at the Heritage Mausoleum at Forest Lawn in Cypress, Calif., on Jan. 30, 2023, at 10:30 a.m.
Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Please visit Lynda’s online memorial and sign her guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.