Linda Worthington Valdes

Linda Worthington Valdes, 75, of Ehrenberg, Arizona, drifted away unexpectedly yet serenely from natural causes on Thursday, January 23, 2025, while watching television and taking a nap in the comfort of her home. A fiercely creative and endlessly resourceful woman, Linda’s life was defined by her devotion to others, her boundless artistic vision, and an unshakable resilience that carried her through both challenges and triumphs.

Linda Louise Worthington was born on July 10, 1949, in Des Moines, Iowa, and was adopted as an infant by Helen Maxine Wheelen and James LaVerene Worthington of Mt. Ayr, Iowa. The eldest of three, she grew up alongside her adopted brother, Steve Worthington, and her little sister, Loretta (Worthington) White.

She graduated with the Class of 1967 from Mount Ayr Community High School and went on to attend Drake University, where she discovered her deep appreciation for the arts, studying theatrical costuming and playwriting. After completing her studies, she moved to New York City, where she worked with several companies, including the Paul Taylor Dance Company, while also serving as a nanny for the Suskind family. Eventually, she settled in New Jersey, dedicating herself to her faith as a Christian Science practitioner.

It was through this work that she met her husband, Argel Enrique Valdes, at church. Their love story was a whirlwind romance, one of deep faith, chemistry, and commitment, as well as a merging of cultures, culminating in their marriage on August 28, 1981.

At 12:57 AM on Tuesday, February 25, 1986, Enrique and Linda welcomed the greatest joy of their lives, their daughter (and fellow night owl, just like her mother), Ariana Victoria Valdes. Parenthood became Linda’s most treasured role, and she poured every ounce of herself into raising Ariana with love, encouragement, and a strong foundation in both creativity and resilience.

In 1993, tragedy struck when Enrique passed away suddenly in his sleep at the age of 48. After 12 years of marriage, this unimaginable loss left Linda to navigate life as a widowed mother. Though it was never the dream, Linda did what she had always done—she figured it out. Determined to provide for Ariana, she leaned into her creativity, first serving as a manager at JoAnn Fabrics and then launching a career in costume design that would ultimately inspire Ariana to pursue a career in the arts as well.

With the unwavering support of her best friend, Bettina Larrow, Linda and Bettina raised Ariana together. However in 2003, Bettina passed away from complications following a tragic car accident. Once again, Linda faced loss. And once again, she forged ahead.

Linda’s journey in costume design became much more than a means to an end—it became a calling. She co-founded Connecticut SceneWorks with her colleague, Rorie Fitzsimmons, designing and building sets and costumes for productions across the Northeast. Later, she launched her own business, Red Wagon Designs, named after the little red wagon she had pulled around as a child in Mt. Ayr.

In addition to costume designing hundreds of productions throughout Connecticut, Linda was a passionate mentor and teaching artist. As the manager of JoAnn Fabrics, she taught several community and adult education classes, sharing her skills and fostering creativity in others. She later taught theatre arts and costume design at Hartford Children’s Theatre and expanded into education at Odyssey Community School, where she taught theatre appreciation and English. Through mentorship, Linda touched the lives of countless students, aspiring artists and professionals alike.

Linda was nothing if not dedicated to ensuring that Ariana had every opportunity possible—affordable or not. She supported Ariana as she pursued her college dreams in Musical Theatre at Point Park University before transferring to The Boston Conservatory to study Vocal Performance and Opera. Not one to let financial burdens stand in the way, Linda drove Ariana back and forth between Connecticut and Boston for three months while working full-time as a costumer, transforming her minivan into her own version of Pimp My Ride—complete with a bed and curtains—so that Ariana could receive the training she desired. Her dedication and sacrifices ultimately helped Ariana secure additional scholarship support, proving that nothing would stand in the way of making it work.

Though not rich in money, Linda’s true wealth lay in the people she enriched. Whether serving as First Reader at her church or selling corn at a festival with the Lions Club—proudly dressed in a corn T-shirt and hat—she radiated warmth, humor, and generosity. She loved actively, with a heart full of grace and a steadfast belief in something greater than this world, beyond mortal mind. Life wasn’t always easy, but through faith, forgiveness, and family, Linda never let setbacks keep her from fighting for what was right. She led by example, showing others they too could persevere—embracing acceptance for people of all backgrounds, colors, creeds, shapes, sizes, and beliefs—all through the lens of love.

Upon selling her expansive costume collection to further support Ariana’s college education, Linda transitioned back into Christian Science care work, first overseeing a facility on Long Island, then relocating to California to serve as a live-in practitioner and caretaker.

It was in California that she met her ultimate partner-in-friendship and spirituality, Shari Dean. Together, they worked as caretakers while becoming fast friends. One of Linda’s most impressive feats came when Shari offered her a place to live—on the condition that she clean and restore a hoarder’s haven left to her by her mother. Never one to back down from a challenge, Linda transformed the space, making it a beautiful and welcoming home.

Their friendship continued as Shari wanted to further purchase a two-story home in Northern California, inviting Linda to join in being responsible for decorating, facilitating renovations, and maintaining it, while Shari completed her work as a lawyer before retirement. The house became a sanctuary for them both, where Linda delighted in setting beautiful tables for dinners, complete with place settings for every season and holiday—a tradition she adored.

In September of 2020, Shari passed away following a battle with cancer, leaving Linda grieving but determined to carry on. She sold their home while simultaneously working tirelessly to remove a squatter from Shari’s Blythe, California property, restoring it so it could be sold as well. Once again, Linda placed the needs of others before her own, ensuring that Shari’s legacy was honored even in her absence.

While completing this work in Blythe, Linda took on yet another caregiving role, looking after their mutual friend in Ehrenberg, Arizona. When that friend passed away, Linda was given the opportunity to take over her home—a single-wide trailer that she immediately began transforming and improving. She often shared with Ariana her deep pride in fixing up this newest home, while uplifting her neighbors and improving the community around her. She even invited her neighbor Virginia to stay with her when her home was no longer safe to live in.

Home was wherever Linda made it, full of warmth. Always making something out of nothing, she would fill rooms with maximalist flair and nostalgia, colorfully coordinated at every turn. As she dedicatedly shaped this newest project into a space she was proud to call her own, Linda Worthington Valdes passed away on an ordinary January afternoon, in the sanctuary she could finally call her home.

Unapologetically herself, Linda spent her later years fully embracing her individuality and independence. She was constantly compiling research and gathering stories for a book about her life, beginning with her experience as one of two adopted siblings, raised by a father who was also adopted, and her own journey of placing a child for adoption. Anyone who spoke with Linda would often tell her she *must* write a book about her extraordinary experiences. While the book remained a work-in-progress, her life story lives on through the people she shared her deepest history with, as well as through her daughter, Ariana, who looks forward to continuing where her mother left off—preserving and sharing her legacy to one day pass it on to her own family. Linda and Ariana often spent hours on the phone, exchanging stories, moral support, wisdom, and moments of healing as they navigated life together across the distance between Arizona and New York City—not only as mother and daughter but as unconditional friends.

A Life Remembered

Linda was predeceased by her husband, Enrique Valdes; her parents, James LaVerene and Helen Maxine Worthington; her mother-in-law, Argelia Valdes; and her best friends, Bettina Larrow and Shari Dean.

Linda’s brother, Steve Worthington, passed away just six days after her, a profound loss for the Worthington family and all who loved them both.

She is survived by her daughter, Ariana Valdes and her partner Kyle Bausch; her son, Michael Skoglund; her sister and brother-in-law, Loretta and Johnny White; her sisters-in-law, Peggy Combs Worthington and Rebeca (Valdes) Rapallo; and her nieces and nephews: Jennifer (Worthington) Hilsenbeck, Jason Worthington, and Jacque Sue Shore.

She is also survived by her dear nephew, Mauricio Barrera; longtime friends and theatrical collaborators, Lud Baldwin and Rosalind Spann; several friends and chosen family members from Connecticut, New York, Florida, Iowa, California, and Arizona, as well as the hundreds of children, young adults, and creatives she nurtured and brought under her wing—those who knew and adored her as Mama Valdiva.

Celebrating Linda’s Legacy

Linda was the glue that held together an incredible mosaic of experiences, connections, and memories—far more than most accumulate in only 75 years. Her legacy is one of transformation, resilience, and deep, unwavering love. Please honor Linda’s memory by giving new life to something forgotten, offering a helping hand, and never being afraid to take on a project that seems too big.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to Ariana’s GoFundMe (https://gofund.me/b3a8c3f9) are welcomed to offset the costs of this sudden loss and to prepare for future memorials with family and friends from around the country. Stories and memories about Linda are also welcomed in written and video form, as a tribute compilation will be made in her honor.

A celebration of Linda’s life will be announced at a later date.