Erlinda Serrano Jazmin

Linda was born in Salomague, Cabugao, Ilocos Sur in the Phillipines to Estanislao Serrano and Cristina Dayoan. She had an older sister and 3 brothers, Leonila Dayoan, Ernesto, Eddie and Charles Serrano who preceded her in death.

Linda is survived, by her husband of 57 ½ years, Jaime Jazmin; her daughters & their husbands, Madeleine & Robert; Joanne & Rex and her only son, Jamie. Linda is survived by her five grandchildren, Jaslyn (27), Jordan (25), Jiselle (21), Charlene (16) and Kristen (11). Linda is survived by her younger sister, Rebecca, and brothers, Wilfredo and Danilo, along with countless cousins, nieces and nephews and many extended family & friends.

Linda received her Bachelor’s in Horticulture, in 1962. While Linda was using her knowledge in horticulture, she had met the love of her life, Jimmy in 1965. She was staying with Jimmy’s Uncle Victor in Manaoag, Pangasinan. Jimmy was in the United States Navy, as part of their enlistment program to US Citizenship. When Jimmy spoke to his Uncle Victor, mentioned he has someone for him to meet. Jimmy went home on leave and that is when he met Linda. Linda was teaching and helping to educate the farmers on how to successfully propagate their fields, so they could have a plentiful harvest. They had a long distance courtship, since Jimmy was deployed. When Jimmy returned from his next deployment, Linda & Jimmy were married, in the Catholic church in front of family and friends on March 5, 1967. Once married, Linda has moved to the United States to start her new life with Jimmy, in Norfolk, Virginia. This is where Madeleine (1968) and Joanne (1969) were born. After a year or so, they had orders to Jimmy’s next duty station and they packed up and transferred to San Diego, California where their only son, Jamie (1973) was born.

During their lives, Linda was the caregiver of their 3 children; both mother & father, since Jimmy was on deployment. Linda cooked, cleaned, was disciplinarian, teacher, chauffeur, all around super mom!

As her children grew older, she had applied and worked at various companies through-out San Diego, but the one that stood out, was her time at General Dynamics. Linda was a Quality Control Inspector, working in the fighter jet division. She enjoyed meeting co-workers that became friends. She was proud of the work she did, she took her family on “Family Days” so they could tour the facilities. Linda retired early, due to a stroke, which did not diminish her everyday life. She told Jimmy she wanted to enjoy whatever life she had left and did not want to work any longer. Linda was in the mindset of you never know what God has planned, you enjoy now and not wait till later. This stroke happened in the mid-1990’s and she lived an additional 30+ years after that. God definitely had some say in how long her life would be.

Linda was a devout Catholic and true to her faith until the end. She brought God’s teaching and love to all who wish to accept and hear His words, thru her Santo Nino Prayer group. Linda & Jimmy would bring the Blessed Mother Mary, Santo Nino and all the Saints to each house and family. They lived 9 hours away, but it was not far, because Linda & Jimmy would happily drive to San Diego and transfer Mother Mary, Santo Nino and the Saints to the next house. This was her happiness and love of God that she wanted to serve.

Linda & Jimmy enjoyed countless years together, travelling the world and living life to the fullest. They travelled to the Philippines, Hawaii, and Europe. While her children were growing up, they would take 2 weeks each year to travel to different places in the United States. Linda enjoyed seeing the country and all its majesty and wonder.

During Linda’s spare time, she enjoyed growing, harvesting and eating what she grew in her garden. Their garden was very plentiful, that Linda & Jimmy were very generous with anything they had, especially their fruits and vegetables. Each season, they would send grapes, pluots, jujubes, apples & various vegetables to their children, whether it be in Rowlett, Texas, San Jose or San Diego, California, mailing expense did not matter, as long as they shared what they had with their children.

One of Linda’s passion, was to cook and make sure everyone was fed! Whether that was for her children’s birthdays, Easter/Christmas holidays or just getting together with family & friends, her love was to make sure all were full! She did catering on the side, selling her lumpia, empanada, siopao, jelly rolls, suman, stuffed chicken & chicken lollipops, pineapple/pecan tarts, to name a few. If you were lucky enough to have tasted her culinary offerings you were very fortunate!

Aside from all of that, what Linda was most passionate about, were her grandchildren, Jaslyn, Jordan, Jiselle, Charlene (Lia), and Kristen. She was a huge part of their lives growing up. Linda & Jimmy were retired and dedicated their life to ensuring their grandchildren grew up healthy, happy and loved. She supported each grandchild equally. She would always give them some pera (money in tagalog), whenever she saw them. She always made it a point to give them something whenever they were with her, even if that meant sending Jimmy to the bank, so she has money for casino and giving money to the grandkids! She was very generous and if someone asked for help, she would help as best as she could.

Linda is terribly missed! We love you very much; until God decides our time on Earth is no longer necessary, we see you again in paradise.

Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord…and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May Linda rest in peace. AMEN.