Obituary

Linda Jayne Thompson (née Scanlan) 

April 20th 1951 - January 13th 2026

Tsaile, Arizona

Linda Jayne Thompson was a beloved mother, wife, friend, and artisan with a wry sense of humor and penchant for conversation and supporting those around her. Linda was a professional seamstress and costumer for over 10 years with her businesses “Seams-to-Be” and “Attitude Is Everything” producing costumes for the Kansas City Renaissance Festival, local community theatre, and halloween costumes. Her business’s “Something Exxxtra” department also created custom corsets and intimate apparel for the “luscious plus”.

Of this time Linda described herself this way from her former website: 

More than you would ever care to know about Linda Thompson: I graduated from clothing my Barbie doll as a child to clothing myself in high school.  My father was a sales representative for a men’s fashion clothing line and he expected me to wear clothing that was several degrees more tailored and conservative than my artistic nature could stand.  We had strong differences in what he would pay for and what I would wear.  We struck a deal; I could wear whatever I wanted as long as he didn’t have to pay for it.  I, being the smart girl I am, realized he would pay for fabric my mother purchased.  As this was in the late 60’s, most of my creations consisted of variations on the theme of "peasant blouse" and adding belled bottoms to all of my slacks and the occasional embroidered flower. 

After motherhood I began creating clothing for my children and making original costumes for family and friends.  I spent 11 years researching, designing and creating costumes for local theatrical venues and historical re-enactment and worked for 4 years as the costume coordinator for our local Renaissance Festival, helping others to understand the requirements to maintain an authentic appearance, and instructing them in the construction of the clothing of the period.  

My interest in intimate apparel and Corsetry for the super sized is simply because I am that size.   In my continual search for items in my size, it became apparent there were none.  I decided to be the one to provide it for myself and others.  I have been creating corsetry for large sizes for the public for over 3 years now and find it more rewarding than I ever would have imagined. If you want to know more about me, you can simply ask, I love talking to people.”

Linda did love talking to people and in the 1980’s was an early adopter of online communications and worked as a chatroom moderator for Quantum-Link (aka Q-Link) which eventually became America-Online (AOL). She could make people laugh and get them hooked into meaningful conversations not only during her time at Q-Link, but also later in the 2000’s with her avid online gaming communities through Halo 2 and Second Life. She was social in person as well and so very generous, making sure the family home in Raytown was open and welcoming to all.  Friends and family knew to just walk in the front door.

Linda was the youngest of 4 children by Louis Thomas Scanlan and Mary Jean Walker. She grew up in Kansas City, Missouri and had her first child Michelle at 17 and eventually met her second husband Gregory Thompson when they were both hippies working for the IRS. They married in May 1975 and had two more children, Valerie and Andrew while Greg was enlisted in the airforce as a dentist. After being stationed in Omaha, Nebraska and Grand Forks, North Dakota, the family settled down in Raytown, Missouri for 25 years. Linda and Greg eventually relocated to Tsaile, Arizona where Greg is a dentist for Indian Health Services on the Navajo Nation Reservation. Linda passed away peacefully at home in bed with her husband sleeping by her side.

In addition to her parents, Linda is preceded in death by her older siblings Larry Walker Scanlan (1945-1968), Emily Louise Muller (1941-1993), and Marilee Buschmann (1939-2018). 

Linda is survived by her husband Greg, her children Michelle Weber, Valerie Thompson & Andrew Thompson (Amanda Thatch), and her granddaughters Kendyl Weber & Michaila Weber. 

As per her wishes Linda will be cremated and the family intends to hold a Celebration of Life in the coming months. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Kansas City Zoo in her honor. Late in life Linda was an avid fan of veterinary and zoo reality television shows and donating to support animal conservation and rehabilitation would be a fitting tribute.