Linda M. Valdez

Many things can be said about Linda M. Valdez. Known to friends and acquaintances as a friendly, energetic, empathic and decisive woman, her compassionate nature would always shine through, revealing her charm, warmth and conscientious demeanor. She was warmhearted, gentle and organized in all the things she sought to accomplish. Linda was a mentor, a natural “teacher” capable of seeing things clearly, leading others and bringing out the best in all of those around her. She generally had a focus on harmony and peace.

Linda was born on May 8, 1934 at home in Tioga, Colorado. Her parents were Amando and Guadalupe Gomez. Linda was raised in Walsenburg, Colorado. When she was young, Linda's friends and family found that “straightforward” and “honest” were perfect words to describe her. Even as a child, Linda demonstrated strong qualities of self-confidence, perceptive ability and a disposition that was enjoyable to those around her.

Linda grew up with ten siblings. She had three older brothers, Smiley, Art and Frank, four younger brothers, Johnny, David, Mickey and Amando, two older sisters, Mary and Dolores, and one younger sister, Gloria. Linda was constantly involved in all sorts of activities with her family. She was even-tempered, taking care not to get involved in too many family conflicts. This quality served her well, in perpetually bringing harmony, understanding and a sense of peace to the family. Linda carried these traits into her adult life and served as one of many reasons why family and friends found her pleasurable and delightful to be around. Linda was a person who genuinely understood and cared for others, making powerful connections with those she knew.

As a young girl, Linda was imaginative, ingenious, clever and a “novel” thinker. Regardless of whether her peers were older or younger, or came from different backgrounds, Linda could easily relate to other kids. She was an active child who took part in softball. She was a Fandango Dancer in a dance troop. In her spare time she liked riding her bicycle and pestering her brothers. However, to Linda, the most fun to be had was simply playing and spending time with her many friends.

During her high school years, Linda had a natural flair for cheering on and applauding just about everyone. She was constantly offering her support and encouragement to fellow members of the groups and activities in which she participated. She graduated from Walsenburg High School in 1951. She did well in school and genuinely enjoyed telling stories in a way that drew people to her. In this way, Linda had a talent for becoming the center of attention, a kind of social catalyst. Linda was often found to be the lead person facilitating a group activity, frequently filling the role of being “the life of the party.” Teachers and classmates knew Linda as an excellent listener. She placed a high value on learning and always understood that there was a new lesson to be grasped waiting for her just around the corner. Linda played clarinet in the marching band.

Always considered a “good” friend, Linda sought to understand the things that others enjoyed. For this reason Linda always seemed to possess a never-ending collection of acquaintances. Linda’s friends found her easy to know and get along with because of her talent for being socially at ease, adept at conversation, and always amiable in her dealings with others. Linda would always seek to learn what her friends enjoyed, and she would go out of her way to make sure that their needs were met. Linda was always seen as the type of person who was the more gracious giver. In fact, she sometimes felt ill at ease when she was the one on the receiving end. Throughout her life she had many friends. While growing up, some of her best friends were Joe and Tilly Cobarubius, Anthony Macias, and the Trujillo family. Later in life, she became friends with Marge and Hal, Lil and Homer, Glen and Mary Lou, Art and Sandy, Barbara and Dee, Betty and Jerry, and Karen.

In 1952 Linda married Joseph Guadalupe Valdez at St. Mary's Catholic Church of Walsenburg, Colorado. Compassionate and devoted, Linda worked hard to make her new family happy. She was always generous with her time and this meant that Joseph came first in Linda’s book. She was always caring and made certain that she considered Joseph’s feelings. By trusting her emotions, Linda did her best to make sure that both the marriage and home life ran smoothly. This is just one more example of how Linda was truly a person of empathy.

Linda’s quality of being a caring and tolerant person who was very accepting of others translated to being a good mother to her children. Linda shared these values with her four daughters, Marilyn, Loretta, Brenda and Barbara. Linda related well to children of all ages and was able to connect to them on their level. The children always loved her and she was completely and totally devoted to them.

Linda experienced success in her work life over and over again. Her primary occupation was her primary occupation was Retail Management. She was employed for 36 years by the K-Mart Corporation. Linda always made the effort to understand what was needed at work, and was well known by her colleagues as a team player. Linda took pride in managing her professional responsibilities and seemed to always know what was necessary to successfully complete a project. Linda was one to take the initiative and her skills at working cooperatively were highly valued. Linda continually sought to learn what her co-workers did well and how they were most effective, a talent that enabled her to help them develop their own potential.

Because she was organized and methodical, Linda took great pleasure in her various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were painting, flower arrangement, gardening, needle point and yoga. Linda enjoyed sharing her passions with others and could singularly focus on one hobby at a time.

Linda derived much satisfaction from sports. Because she was so instinctive and could always grasp the big picture, Linda delighted in the strategy and inner workings of a competition. Recreational sports included bowling, walking her dog, Curves Women's Spa and walking with her girlfriends. Linda was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite teams' events whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list was football, especially the Chargers.

Throughout her life, Linda was actively involved in professional and community organizations. With a talent for focusing in on exactly what was required to be completed, Linda was known to her peers as being able to strengthen any group endeavor. When called on, Linda was a natural leader who created harmony and good relationships within the group, often putting her own needs aside. Linda’s involvement could easily help structure and organize any part of an organization. An added benefit was Linda’s ability to bring valued principles along with her. In high school, Linda was a member of the high school marching band.

Linda was well known to others for her ability to naturally and conscientiously move into action to help others, a quality that placed her as an active contributor to many community activities. Charismatic by nature, she was always viewed by others as someone who built bridges, connected to people, and upheld her personal values. She helped her community by donating to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Easter Seals, and supporting children's causes. Politically, Linda was a Democrat.

Linda’s faith was important to her. She was a parishioner of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church for 50 years. She was compassionate and warm hearted, someone who truly cared for others and that was clearly demonstrated in her work with the congregation.

Linda enjoyed traveling, and because she was so well organized, she would take on the responsibility of planning and scheduling all of the family vacations. Her gift for keeping things lively meant that vacations with Linda were always enjoyable. Favorite vacations included many trips to Hawaii with her family where she enjoyed Mai Tai's at Mama's Fish House, Macadamian Nut Pancakes at the Gazebo Restaurant and walks on the beach at Kahana sunset, cruises to Mexico, trips to Las Vegas and Laughlin, Nevada to gamble with her sisters and sisters-in-law, and road trips to visit family in San Francisco, New York, Washington DC, and Santa Fe, New Mexico with her daughters.

Linda was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. One of Linda's favorite was Cera, a Golden Retriever dog. They were best friends for 11 years. Her family was rounded out by her "granddogs", Kiska, Bowie, Lady, Corky and Lily.

When Linda’s retirement finally came in 1999, she was well prepared. Being the focused and organized person that she was, Linda had taken care to plan for this part of her life. When that time eventually arrived, Linda knew exactly what she wanted to do. Her new life involved. In retirement, she found new pleasure in volunteering at the Chula Vista School District, working at See's Candy during the Christmas season, gardening, walks with her dog, Cera, and traveling with her daughters. Even in retirement, Linda continued to stay in touch with her old friends and made plenty of new acquaintances. She was active in the community and felt fulfilled.

Linda passed away on February 12, 2010 at Kaiser Hospital in San Diego, California due to complications of a stroke. She is survived by her daughters Marilyn, Loretta, Brenda and Barbara; her son-in-law Scott; her brothers Frank, Johnny, Mickey, David and Amando; her sisters Mary, Dolores and Gloria; her in-laws David and Connie; and numerous nieces and nephews. Services were held at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Linda was laid to rest in Glen Abbey Memorial Park in Bonita, California.

Throughout her life, Linda was a gregarious and enthusiastic woman. She was generous in sharing her personal attributes, giving and helping those she knew and loved. She would often fill the role of coach, bringing out the best in everyone. She was imaginative, original, tender hearted and easy to get along with. Linda leaves behind her a legacy of life-long friendships and cherished memories. Everyone whose lives she touched will dearly remember Linda M. Valdez.