Linda “Dusty” Charles (née Linda Susan Martin)

Linda “Dusty” Charles, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on April 28, 2025, in Portland, Oregon, surrounded by the beauty of nature she so deeply loved. Born in Santa Barbara, California, Linda was the third of four daughters to Charles and Dorothy Martin. She grew up with sisters Sandy, Penny, and Sharon, and graduated from San Marcos High School, where she played volleyball and basketball with spirit and determination.

After high school, Linda married David Ronald Baldwin and raised two children, Jennifer and Matthew, in Montecito and Ventura. Her early career included work as a fire dispatcher in Ventura and later as the office manager at Mupu Elementary School in Santa Paula. She then found her passion as a travel agent with Donna Tours, helping others explore the world while taking many memorable trips with friends and family.

In the late 1980s, Linda moved to Eugene, Oregon, to support her children’s education. She worked as a travel agent at the University of Oregon and was a proud presence at Jennifer’s athletic events at Lane Community College. She later returned to Ventura to cheer on Matt through high school sports, becoming a familiar voice courtside.

Linda thrived as a tutor at Ventura College, where she also earned her Associate’s Degree. She later attended Cal State Northridge, completing all but one course toward a degree in Psychology choosing not to finish, believing true learning outweighed a diploma.

In later years, Linda lived in Santa Cruz near Jennifer and her grandchildren—Moorea, Connor, and Ben—and worked for a time as a poet at the Tannery Arts Center. She remained a loving presence for Matt, his wife Risela, and their daughters, Isabella and Siena. Her pride in her children and grandchildren was boundless.

Linda’s final years were spent in Portland, Oregon, enjoying the serenity of nature. She will be remembered for her fierce love, quick wit, and generous spirit.

The family will honor Linda’s life by scattering her ashes off the coast of Santa Barbara, a place that always felt like home.