Whenever I open a holiday card this time of year I remember Linda.  She was *always* the first to send hers out and when I saw the Gantes name on the return address  I knew the season had begun.

Thinking of you always.

It's hard to imagine a year has passed without Linda in our lives, but the memories live on

and will never be forgotten.  Especially this holiday season our remembrances of her

fill our hearts with joy, laughter and love.  Gone to soon, but will never be forgotten,

she has touched so many with her love, warmth and compassion.  A friend like Linda

can never to replaced!!!! Your so wonderful to think of but so hard to be without.  Your

spirit will never die.

Miss you dearly,

love,

Mary Rose

Greetings to the Gantes Family, 38 years goes by fast.
Linda Gantes always was sincere in greeting me at each and every restaurant grand opening I ever attented where she was present. One memory that will stand the test of time for me was in Palmdale. The event was a Famous Dave's grand opening. I drove in heavy traffic for two hours to get to the event. I was afraid I would be late. But when I arrived and looked around the room I saw no one I knew. I went a few steps further into the dining room when Linda called my name. She said come sit with us you are our family.The long commute didn't matter any longer because Linda made sure to include me in the incredible dinner we all enjoyed. That was the first time I had eaten any of the food at Famous Dave's. Coupled with wonderful conversation we all had a great time.The drive home was pleasant because Linda Gantes had made my evening. She was always kind and always thanked me for coming to any event I ever attended. She will be sorely missed but she's not far away walking on the streets of Gold just beyond Heaven's doors. Thank You for making every one you ever met feel better. I pray you are in God's hands now and forever. 

I met Linda through Karen Keeran (Green)  Karen and Linda were such close Friends. They were Cheer leader At Troy High School.  Linda was a very easy going person. I worked with her at the Bridgeford,   Anaheim plant, at the time my parents owned a  Sail boat. Linda would ask me questions about the names of  things on the boat, Jib, boom, and so forth.  I remember we were working on the cheese and cracker line. She was in a goofie mood, she put a green leefy substance in place of the cheese. It was packaged before she could remove it. We were laughing so hard.  And another time we went to Huntington Beach with Linda, Karen, And myself.  Linda loved the the strips and cheese at the beach stand.  We would just hang out on our towels and people watch. Great times back then. In December 1971 Linda invited Karen, Jeff my younger brother, my Girl friend Carol Brown to a Christmas party.  It was the best party. We danced to led zeplin. Lots of good food. I will never forget it. Linda was so kind and friendly.  She will be missed!  Rest in Peace you Beautiful Lady. 

Oh aunt Linda, where do I begin? Every single memory I have growing up involves you in some way. My favorite days were spent in your pool and playing with your makeup in your bathroom (aka JD and I staining the marble floors with your nail polish ha!). I remember coming back from summer vacation as a 1st grader and being asked what my favorite summertime memory was. I wrote all about having sleepovers at your house! If I wasn’t spending time with you, I was at least hearing about you. You and my mom (Lorin) were inseperable. I must have heard the phrase “Call Linda” AT LEAST once a day growing up. It didn’t matter if I needed help with homework, advice on boys, tips on how to get the best curls, medical advice or just a friend to talk to, Linda was there with open arms to listen. My mom always joked that Linda was supposed to be my real mom because she knew exactly how to handle me. She always knew how to make me feel better and never passed any judgments. She was right there with me through every good and bad time in my life, cheering me on and letting me know I was loved beyond measure. I always felt so lucky to have her as my "second mom". She was my biggest role model. The way she treated everyone exemplified unconditional love, generosity, selflessness, compassion, and sincerity. Every person I’ve ever met that’s known my Aunt Linda has described her as the sweetest and nicest person they’ve ever known. It’s rare to even know someone like that, let alone call them your “second mom”. I’m forever grateful for all the memories I have with Linda; all the trips to Burger King, all the late night convos in the Desert, all the dance parties while we clean the dishes, all the laughs we’ve shared but most of all, I’ll miss watching the way your face lit up when you were surrounded by the people you loved most. Your memory will live on with me forever and one day my kids will know all about you too. You are so loved and so missed. My entire life, you called me your littlest angel and I never fully understood why. Now, I guess it’s come full circle in the sense that you're my biggest angel. Love you lots Aunt Linda

I have a TON of memories when I think about my aunt Linda. The most occuring one is during my childhood where I'm in the car with my cousins and Linda is driving. We are either going to Burger King or Costco it doesn't matter since she made it all feel like an adventure. Eventually my cousins and I would end up in the pool or exploring or toilet papering a neighbors house haha. Through it all Linda was there loving us and guiding us to be good people. Thank you Linda, you are my biggest role model on how to treat other people (sorry mom, your my 2nd biggest role model!!). Thank you for loving and accepting me and always checking up on me and for being my mom's best friend. I love you!

PS, I think we're on splash mountain at Disneyland or something in the pic :)

I could not be more blessed than to have had such a darling, thoughtful,  fun friend
as Linda for the past thirty years.  We hit it off immediately when we discovered our
common bond of growing up as figure skaters with the same teacher.  My first
memories of our friendshp was when Jimmy and Devin became kindergarten buddies and Ryan and Allan were pre-school buddies.  We had great laughs over our boys childhood adventures.  I will never forget Indian Guides and all the mishaps our husbands and sons experienced. I think we started our "therapy," lunches at that time. I always came away laughing, smiling and realizing how lucky
I was to have Linda in my life as we navigated parenting roles.  
Certain people touch your life in such a way you just can't imagine living life without
them being a part of it.  We have held each others' hands through an adventurous, fun thirty years.  I will cherish our friendshp forever and know that Linda will be
the beautiful angel smiling on us all. Her spirit will live on in each of us.

Love you Linda!!!
Mary Rose
 

It has been one of the most special privileges and pleasures of my life to know you Linda.  Thank you for always letting me lovingly call you Aunt Linda all these years, thank you for always asking about everyone else, thank you for sharing so much joy and laughter in the kitchen over the dishes, thank you for always being a good sport when I won the super bowl pots, thank you for your voice so I’ll always hear it say my name and thank you for always watching over us.

Linda is the big sister of my dearest friend. Linda always included me as a family friend. I’ll miss her fierce hugs and bright smile! I know her family will miss her more. Linda is truly an angel

Linda was a Varsity Songleader during her junior and senior years at Troy High School.  I had the joy of cheering with her during our senior year (Class of 1974), along with Ann Peterson, Barb Nygard, Jennifer Clay and Rhonda Cook (and what a great time we had).  Linda was always positive, supportive, caring, and fun; these qualities sprung forth from a heart and soul so genuine and generous.  It was not within her being to be anything but kind and compassionate.  Linda was beautiful, inside and out, while on this earth -- She's even more beautiful as an angel where she'll continue to shine her light and love upon those who had the great blessing of knowing her.  I love you, Linda; thank you for being my friend.