It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Linda Diane Backman on February 1 in Tehachapi. Linda was born on January 24, 1949 in Glendale, California to Leonard Knolhoff and Gloria McQuillin.

Linda grew up in Glendale, California and graduated from Herbert Hoover High School. Some of her favorite childhood memories were hunting and fishing with her father. As an adult she moved to Tillamook, Oregon and in 1983 settled in Tehachapi. Linda loved being a stay-at-home mom and enjoyed cooking, baking and gardening. More than anything she loved being a mom, grandma and great-grandma. Her partner, Robert Pimofsky, credits her with being an absolutely incredible mother. She also loved animals, especially wildlife.

Linda was very caring, generous, outgoing and fun loving. Oldies were her music of choice. She loved football and the Kansas City Chiefs became her favorite football team when Patrick Mahomes II joined the team as a quarterback. Her all-time favorite team, however, was the San Francisco 49ers.

Her favorite place to visit was Griffith Park, but she loved living in Tehachapi for its natural beauty, wildlife, mountains and the four seasons.

Linda is survived by her longtime partner, Robert Pimofsky; children Brian Stippey of Manhattan Beach, California; Jamie Milligan of Port Townsend, Washington; Ben and Jody Marks of Tehachapi, California; Dennis Backman of Maryville, Missouri; Shane and Jessica Galloway of Tehachapi, California; and Katelyn Mulliniks of Tehachapi, California. Linda is also survived by 19 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. She is predeceased by her parents, Leonard and Gloria, and her brother, David.

We will all miss her very much. A celebration of life is planned for the spring.