Rosalinda Guardado Menendez

Rosalinda Marie Guardado Menendez, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, godmother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the age of 76. Rosalinda was born on February 26, 1948, to Rueben and Lupe Guardado. She is survived by her husband of 57 years Mike Menendez, her daughters Regina Marie Sanchez and Melissa Ann Menendez, her grandchildren Victoria Marie Sanchez, Matthew Richard Sanchez, and Freyja Sage Pálsdóttir, her great-grandson Isaiah Lucas de la Torre, and her godson Paul Geert Vandersluis.

She grew up in Mendota, California where after graduating from Tranquility High School, she fell in love with Mike, and they married on August 4,1967. Two years later she became a mother while Mike joined the Army and was stationed in Germany; then six years later, she gave birth to their second daughter. In 1977, Rosalinda joined T.O.P.S. where she shined as an inspiration for over fifteen years to club members by mailing weekly notes of encouragement, singing motivational songs, or serving as club leader. During some of these years, she also taught second grade catechism classes at St. Alphonsus Church and performed sign-language interpretation of the song lyrics during Sunday Mass. She also had a thirty-year career as an instructional aide and then homeschool liaison at Slater Elementary School where she advocated for Spanish speaking parents, so they could be involved in their children’s education. She was, unfortunately, forced into early retirement due to being diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. However, after several surgeries and treatment along with her strength, resilience, and hope, she lived twelve years cancer free.

Rosalinda was a beautiful, caring, and kind woman and anyone who met her immediately felt her warmth and generosity. She was the center of her family, and she will be deeply missed but her laughter, support, and love will not be forgotten. Fortunately, she was surrounded by her family in her final moments.

We will celebrate her life and legacy on Saturday, March 29th 1:00pm-4:30pm at Stephens and Bean Funeral Home located 202 N. Teilman Ave. Fresno, CA 93706 where we will pray the rosary and share stories, laughter, and tears.