I am so very sorry to be just hearing of Linda's passing after stumbling into it on Facebook  (I am not Facebook savvy.).  Linda and I were very dear friends that lost touch, temporarily I always thought.  I don't remember when we first met, seems like she was always there.  Our first major commitment together was being Candy Stripers  at Montgomery General in the early 70's.  From there she avidly pursued nursing and I avidly pursued Medicine and we always thought our souls were linked in healing.   She found and fell so in love with Carlos and I was proud to be in their wedding.  She wrote amazing long letters about her new life in Pa  (I remember the worst of the newness being snakes in the yard-times were much simpler at that age) and letters about the growth and life of her family continued over many years.  Her devotion to her family remains foremost in all of my memories.  It was a privilege to share in the joys, sorrows, and simple pleasures of her life.  She was such a gentle and loving person and she will always have a place in my heart.  

I will always remember Linda as a vibrant and caring member of our research team at NCI.  May she always be with you in spirit.  I have memorialized her with a donation to the Alzheimers Society.  You all have shown such courage and grace in the face of such a devastating disease. -- M McMaster

Linda was a beautiful person.  I really enjoyed seeing her at Book Club meetings way back when we first started the club.  Indeed, Linda did love to read.  And she did love to talk about her girls!!!  We took a retreat once to one of the book club member’s beach house many years ago, and Linda and I had a nice side conversation.  All about the girls!!!!  Many details!  She was a good mom.  I remember once she told me how she was finishing a photo album of the family and how she had put some of the pictures in the wrong order or upside down and she was upset.  I told Linda to not worry about it...they’ll love you anyway!  God bless her.

Linda was one of the kindest people I have ever known. When I needed a place to stay after graduation, and Laura suggested I stay in her childhood home with her, Jen and Linda, I was a bit skeptical about living at home with "mom". But I found myself spending so much of my free time chatting, playing games, and sharing meals with her, delighted to have a mother figure who loved openly without judgement. It was obvious to everyone how much she loved and was proud of her smart, accomplished, beautiful girls, and with time I began to feel like one of them. And on my birthday, coming home from an early dinner date with my then-boyfriend, who would rather watch the home run derby than spend the evening with me, I arrived home to a surprise birthday cake from Linda. The gesture made me feel so loved and welcomed and appreciated, and that was truly the essence of Linda's character. She was full of love and grace, despite the hardships she endured, and still found moments of joy until the very end. Linda is irreplaceable and will be forever missed.

When we were growing up you did not automatically get a Birthday party, they were actually quite rare - with the exception of Jamie who was born in July. I asked my mom why Jamie got parties and I didn't, and she said it was easy doing a summer birthday. But having a bunch of kids in the house "with their snowy boots" was too much noise and mess for her. So Linda, (born Dec. 8th) and I (born Jan. 5th) only had maybe 2 parties growing up. Then there was the entire Christmas thing overshadowing our respective Birthdays. So at some point we decided to start treating ourselves to a Birthday dinner, just the two of us. Sometimes we went to Houston's, once we went to Timpano's when they first opened, but we usually went to P. F. Changs. We would always spend at least 2 hours or maybe 3, just talking, enjoying good food, and splitting a piece of the Great Wall of Chocolate Cake. Ten years ago I invited Jamie to join us  and we went to Houston's. I think it is probably the only time in our lives that just the 3 of us (the 3 youngest) met for a girls dinner like that. This picture is from that evening. We promised to do it again "next year" but I don't think we ever did. Those Birthday dinners were so special to the two of us and one of the things I will miss doing the most with Linda. 

This story comes from a story that Sonya once told me.  Sonya and I were friends since the 4th grade, so there were many, many, many class parties and birthday parties at each others houses.  Mrs. Vasquez was an amazing baker and Sonya's birthday cakes were always home-made from scratch.  My mom's were betty crocker from a box.  One year (5th grade?) Mrs. Vasquez made Sonya an AMAZING cake, it was a strawberry cakes with 3 layers and there were pieces of actual real strawberries in the icing.  I told my mom that's what I wanted.  My mom said no, I'm not making a cake from scratch.  My retort:  "But Sonya's mom does" and I got the standard answer of "Well I'm not Sonya's mom you're getting betty crocker and that's it."  So here's Sonya's piece of the story, my Betty Crocker cake was a funfetti cake with the sprinkles in it, Sonya went to Mrs. Vasquez and told her that she wanted a funfetti cake like me.  Mrs. Vasquez told her, that's from a box, I make your cakes from scratch.  Sonya retorts:  "But Lauren's mom makes funfetti cake." and Mrs. Vasquez said, "Well I'm not Lauren's mom and you're getting a homemade cake."  I always loved that about your mom.  She put so much effort and care into everything, and I still think about that when I make cakes (from scratch, every time). 

I met Linda about 14 years ago.  I had recently become friends with Laura and I would visit their house from time to time. She was always so kind to me and very welcoming.  And every time I would speak to her, she would always share loving stories about her daughters. She was smart,  strong and caring - I will always remember her that way.  May she Rest In Peace ❤️

When I think of your mom, I think of all the fun times I spent at your house growing up, with sleepovers, long days playing in your basement with your sisters and playing in your backyard on your awesome swing set. You’re mom was always there for us offering snacks, hugs, and love and I just remember the house feeling so warm and welcoming, which was of course because of her.  She had a wonderful spirit and so much love for her family.  I’m so sorry for your loss and may she rest in peace. Sending lots of love to your family. 

Jennie

I have two sets of memories about Linda.   First, Linda and I were pool moms for many years, starting at the side of the baby pool and finally graduating to the deck chairs.    We shared the joys and tribulations of child-rearing, and she always made me feel so much calmer.   I don’t recall specific conversations, but I remember her voice that was soft even at higher volumes, and of course her infectious laugh.   The other memories I have are from when Linda joined the club that no one wants to belong to, that of a parent who loses a child to suicide.   We were often together at suicide prevention walks.   Linda always spoke so candidly about her love and her loss.  The last time we walked together was in Annapolis, and we brought up the rear accompanied by Naval Academy students.   Linda gently brought out each of their stories of how suicide had affected their lives and then provided just the right words to console them.   At the end, these young people, very moved, hugged her good-bye.    The common thread is that Linda always managed to make people feel better about themselves.   Even though she’s not here to do so any more, these gifts she gave will remain with us always.    Rest In peace.

My fondest memories of Linda are those little everyday life memories that remind me of the wonderful person and mother she was. I remember how neat and clean her house used to be when I would come over to play with Laura. I remember giggling at the size of her vacuum canister and hose wondering how she could possibly carry that enormous thing all around the house, but she did! I remember seeing a handwritten list of all the meals for the week on her refrigerator. She was always so organized. I remember how she decorated the house so beautifully around the holidays especially the very delicate and breakable Christmas decor in the living room. I remember being in awe of her embroidered Christmas stocking collection. Each family member had a unique design that she personalized with their name on the top. I remember her driving us around in her minivan for a special McDonald's treat. It must have been someone's birthday for her to allow us something other than healthy food. I remember her walking all the way up to my house to check on Laura one evening when we were teenagers because she didn't approve of the horror movie we had rented from Blockbuster.  Although we all felt it was so uncool at the time, I can look back on it now and see how perfectly it describes the very loving and caring mom that she was. May she rest in peace knowing that she was so loved and appreciated.


I did not have the opportunity to know your mom but I only had to meet you to know that you had one amazing mother.
My wishes for peace and comfort.  
She will always be with you. 
One day you will see her again and have one great family reunion.
with love,
Miriam Lemon  


My deepest sympathy’s to the Vasquez family. 
Linda was a strong, independent woman who got the job done. She absolutely loved her family. She will not be forgotten. May she Rest In Peace♥️ Love, Jamie and Tony 

OBITUARY

Linda G. Vasquez

December 8, 1956 – December 27, 2019

Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home

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