Erlinda Villanueva Condes
March 12, 1946 - June 17, 2009
Obituary
Erlinda Villanueva Condes
On March 12, 1946, Linda Condes was born to Eligia De Jesus Villanueva and Simon Diamond Villanueva, Sr. in Manila, Philippines. Her large and loving family included seven children, six girls and the youngest child a boy; she was the fifth of the seven siblings. Linda and her family are rooted in Manila, Philippines, but many immigrated to the United States. She is a proud graduate of a catholic college in Manila, St. Paul’s College, where she earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration, majoring in Accounting.
When Linda was twelve years old, she met the love of her life, Art Condes. That first flame held fast through the years as they each finished their education. The Condes family moved to the United States, but Linda and Art kept their love burning even across continents. So, years later, in 1966, Art and his family returned to Manila so they could be married. Linda and Art were married on December 16, 1966. They have been married for over 42 years.
Once married, Linda joined Art’s family in Seattle, Washington, and became a naturalized citizen of the United States. Linda grew to know the loving embrace of Art’s family very well when she came to Seattle, having left her parents for the first time, and having no other relatives on the West Coast. She was happy in her new life as a married woman, and shortly after her arrival to Seattle, learned she was expecting their first, and as it turns out, only child, Christina. Linda delivered Christina into this world on November 20, 1967. Linda poured her unconditional love, patience, wisdom and faith into her little family, devoting herself to caring, loving and lifting up her husband and child.
Later in life, as Christina grew more independent, Linda entered the workforce briefly, lending her accounting expertise to Swedish Hospital, SeaFirst Bank, SignTech, Sabroe, and most recently St. Joseph Church in Seattle.
Throughout her life, Linda cherished the special relationship only siblings can have, and though peppered throughout the United States and the world, kept them close, often talking daily, with her sisters and brother. Daily life in Seattle includes many fond memories with sisters and brothers in-law and many nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
Linda’s life and joy come from her only grandsons, Payton Buchholz and Bennett Buchholz. When she is with them, she comes alive and with laughter and immense love.
Nothing could compare to the love Linda has for her family, with the exception of her love for God and Church. For nearly 25 years, Linda has served as a Eucharist Minister and Eucharist Minister Coordinator at St. James Cathedral, Seattle, WA, where she made many dear and long-lasting friendships which she very much cherished. Linda is passionate about her faith and about service, and nothing means more to Linda than sharing that faith with family, friends and those she serves. St. James is home for her spirit.
She is preceded by her father Simon Diamond Villanueva and her oldest sister Aurora Morales.
She is survived by her husband and soul mate, Art Condes, her daughter Christina Buchholz David, her grandsons Payton and Bennett. Her surviving siblings include Leticia Ongtenco Efren of San Francisco, CA, Sonia Bernardo Jaime of Washington D.C., Virgita Ledesma Ernest of Claxton, GA, Gloria Chuidian of Manila, Philippines, and Simon Villanueva, Jr. Kathy of Lynnwood, WA. Carmelita Tomas Dionisio, Jesus Condes Sally, Carolina, Cynthia and Wilfredo are her surviving brothers and sisters in-law in Seattle, WA. Both sides of Linda’s family have countless nephews and nieces and grand-nephews and grand-nieces who love her very much.
Linda lived her life with verve. She was faithful to God, loving and giving to her family and friends, full of laughter and joyous, graceful and silly, dignified and fiery, poised and composed, competent in all she did, honest and realistic, caring, and gave of herself completely. She left us with same grace and courage with which she lived her life on June 17, 2009 surrounded by family and friends who loved and respected her very much.
MAY THE CHERISHED & TREASURED MEMORIES OF YOUR DEAREST LOVED ONE COMFORT YOU ALL ALWAYS!!!!!!YOU HAVE ALL BEEN FAITHFULL WITNESSES OF DEEPEST PAGMAMAHALAN……WITH SINCEREST ADMIRATION I HUMBLY OFFER MY WARMEST ALOHA & SYMPATHY……TAKE CARE ALL SHE NOW SHINES BRIGHTLY IN THE HEAVENS !!!!!!
Art,
You are in my thoughts and prayers sorry to hear about you loss
I share your grief with your lost
Dear Art, Christina, David, Payton and Bennett,
Our prayers and condolences are with all of you at this time of your sorrow and loss of a wife, mother and grandmother.
We will surely miss Linda very much, she was so full of life and joy, it radiates on her face especially when she is with her two grandsons, her pride and joy. She was fun to be with and very accomodating.
Linda, God’s peace and love be with you, our dear friend and thank you too for serving our Lord with you.
Fel & Aurora Ordonia,
Audrey Michael and Noah Ordonia Ghali
Dear Art,
As you comprehend this profound loss, let yourself cry knowing each tear is a note of love rising to the heavens my friend.
We are very shock to heard Linda die, but I belived She is in peace now. We’ll miss her so much.
Respectfully
T.T.Nails
My sincere condolences to Linda’s family. My memory of her is one of love of God and family, vitality, laughter and strength. She is missed.
Shirley Wright
Sorry to hear about your Mother,Kris. Pray that you and your Father are doing okay.
Art-
Please accept my sincere condolences! Look to the Lord for healing. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Best regards,
Jon Magno
Our condolences to Art and your family. We are so sorry for your loss. You are in our prayers..
Susie Alfonzo and Don Nikami
Erlinda was one of my clients at the Shiseido counter, Southcenter Macy’s, when I first started with the store quite awhile ago. I remembered her sweet face and personality immediately when I saw the memorial yesterday. I am saddened to know that she is gone, I remember her great manners and graciousness when I would assist her, she was patient and kind even when it was very busy. She will be missed there, and I know that her family has suffered a great loss. My prayers and thoughts are with you.
Linda’s smile, warmth and grace will be missed by many at Saint James Cathedral parish. Linda exemplified what it meant to be a servant of Christ, and I aspire to bring the same enthusiasm, faith and love to all that I do in my life. Linda, you will be missed. Your faith community surrounds your family with love during these difficult times.
To Art and family,
my love and prayers are with you now and always
love maggie Jordan
Dear Art, Christina, David, Payton, Bennett, and all of Linda’s extended family.
Please accept our deepest sympathy in the death of a truly cherished member of our parish family at St. James and a true friend. Linda will be forever in our hearts as a woman of deep faith and an inspiration in service to our God. Linda was truly the hands of Jesus here on earth. Her smile, even when she was sick, was contagious and comforting. We will miss Linda’s joyful presence at St. James but are confident that her spirit remains with us reminding us all that she is now with her God whom she loved deeply. Our love and prayers are with all her beloved family. May a gentle God bless and console you, and keep you in his care.
With love, Rosemarie and Ed Authier
Home.
Dear Kuya and family –
Lovely and beautiful memories of Ate to keep you singing & smiling.
all our love, Ed and Fe
To the entire Condes Family,
Our heartfelt thoughts are with you during this time, in the loss of Linda, we are sending our love and prayers to you all.
Love,
Uncle Jack, Auntie Marcel, Myra & family, Laurence, Irene & family
Buzzard Family
To the Condes Family:
I was saddened to read of Linda’s untimely death.
Linda was my secretary at Seafirst Bank for several years … and what a sharp one she was! She was a wonderful administrative assistant, and her competence took a huge burden off me and my staff. She always wore a smile, and made everyone feel welcome to our department.
I remember when she asked me to be the master of ceremonies for her daughter’s coming out party. I agreed, even though I had never been to a coming out party before! What a gala event it was, and how much fun my wife also Linda and I had, and how royally we were treated by the Condes family.
It seems strange, but the last few days I had been thinking about Linda Condes and wondered where she was now, and how she and her family were doing.
Linda will be missed.
Barry McDonnell