Mrs. Erlinda Mijares Zafra

Erlinda Mijares Zafra was born on September 1, 1936 in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, Philippines to Cornelio Mijares and Concordia Talavera Mijares. She was the youngest sibling to Coronacion Olvido, Salvacion Roque, Vicente Mijares, Lourdes Mijares, Virginia Ybanez, and Virgilio Mijares. They are all now reunited in heaven.

Linda is survived by her daughter Gigi and husband Edwin Bungay, her grandchildren Jalen and his wife Angelica Bungay, Isaiah Bungay, and Dominique Bungay. Last but not least, her great granddaughter Celine Gabrielle Bungay.

Amongst the 7 siblings, she was the only one that was driven to immigrate to the United States and ultimately arrived in 1968. Beacon Hill/South Seattle was where she made her home for more than 50 years. In 1970 she met Gonzalo “Papa George” Zafra in Seattle through friends of friends. George was a retired Navy and Merchant Marine. When he was home from trips, they frequented the Filipino Community Center where they danced with many of their close friends. “Lala Linda”, as she is lovingly referred to by her grandchildren and many others, would excitedly share how good of a ballroom dancer Papa George was – “He’s a graduate from the Arthur Murray dance school in San Francisco!” He danced his way into her heart and they married in 1971. The following year they had their only child Geraldine Anne “Gigi” in July.

Throughout the years there were many stories shared about both Linda and George- about how instrumental they were in helping new Filipino immigrants settle in Seattle. They had created a village of chosen families that they kept close especially as Gigi was growing up.

Unfortunately, Thanksgiving morning of 1982, Papa George passed away and Lala Linda became a single mom of a 10-year-old. She worked very hard- “I have to work lots of overtime” she would say. She worked various administrative positions at Safeco Insurance for over 20 years until her retirement. Her constant goals were to make sure she kept the house her and Papa George bought on Beacon Hill and private schools for Gigi. Thankfully her great granddaughter Celine Gabrielle Bungay gets to be raised in the same loving home Lala and Papa George worked so hard for.

Lala Linda loved all 3 of her grandchildren whom she helped raise from the time they were born. She was always cooking them whatever they wanted. When she retired, she would either have spam & eggs, steak, fried pork chops, or fried chicken always with rice waiting for them every day after school. She spoiled them how she knew how, through their bellies. Sadly, she started to cook less and less and a change in her transpired over the last 10 years which was caused by dementia. She was lovingly cared for by the whole family, Jalen most especially since he moved in with her when he started at the University of Washington. With various life events and Lala’s dementia progressing, she spent the last year living with Gigi, Edwin, Monique and Theo, our dog. Lala will always be remembered for being a faithful, caring, generous, loyal, funny, loving, protective, and strong woman.

The family of Mrs. Erlinda Mijares Zafra has entrusted the care of their loved one to the staff of Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home, Crematory and Cemetery.