Erlinda Lam Galang

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Erlinda “Linda” Galang, who left this world peacefully on January 23, 2025, in Denver, Colorado, surrounded by her loving family. She was 86 years old.

Born in Cavite City, Philippines, Linda was the eleventh of thirteen siblings, growing up in a home filled with love and the aromas of her family’s restaurant. She carried that warmth with her throughout her life, creating a home where everyone felt welcome, where bellies were always full, and where family was the heart of everything.

A proud college graduate from University of Santo Tomas with a degree in Pharmacy, Linda dedicated over 40 years as a medical technician before retiring in 2004. While the job itself may not have been her passion, she cherished the deep friendships she made along the way, sharing stories of life’s ups and downs with her colleagues. Her ability to nurture and connect with others extended far beyond her workplace.

Linda’s journey was one of resilience and love. She immigrated to the United States (St. Louis, Missouri) with her husband, Phil, and their three young children, later welcoming a fourth. She built a life filled with hard work, selflessness, and deep devotion to her family. She had a way of showing love that was both nurturing and no-nonsense—quick with a warm meal, a sharp-witted remark, or, when needed, a stealthy motherly pinch to keep her children in line.

She found joy in the simple, beautiful things in life—tending to her garden, breathing in the sweet scent of honeysuckles, and filling her home with carefully collected treasures that made it cozy and welcoming.

She loved traveling and exploring the world with family. She relished keeping up with her loved ones’ lives, gossiping about friends, and gathering around the dinner table with her delicious Filipino dishes. Despite a lifetime of frugality shaped by her childhood during the Great Depression, she was rich in love and generosity, always putting family first.

Linda is survived by her beloved husband, Felipe “Phil” Galang; her children, Noemi Shelby and husband Murph, Raul Galang and wife Rocio, Roland Galang and wife Vivian, Ronnie Galang and wife Eva; and her adored grandchildren, Isabella Shelby Barrett and husband Kevin, Coulter Shelby, Hawker Shelby, Isabella Gianani, Isaac Galang, Benjamin Galang, Reece Galang, and Ean Galang.

She was a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend to so many all over the US, Canada, and the Philippines. She loved deeply and was deeply loved in return. Saying goodbye was never easy for her, and now it is we who struggle to let her go.

We invite all who cherished Linda to join us in celebrating her life:

Celebration of Life

March 1, 2025 from 11:00AM-2:00PM at Olinger Highland Mortuary located at 10201 Grant St, Thornton, CO 80229

In lieu of flowers, and in honor of Linda’s love for nature and children, donations may be made to:

🌿 Missouri Botanical Gardens

🎗️ Children’s Hospital Colorado (Children’s Fund – Greatest Need)

Her love, her laughter, and the warmth of her home will remain with us always.