Linda Vivonia 78, Lake Forest, CA

Linda passed away at home peacefully surrounded by loved ones on January 17, 2021.

Linda was born on February 10, 1942 in Denver, Colorado to Lucile A. and Leland A. Parris.
When she was only one, Linda traveled by train with her mother and older sister Judy to meet up with their father in their new home in California. She was raised in the Los Angeles area by her mother after her parents divorced while she was still very young. A few years later, her family (mom, step-dad Bill, big sister Judy and little sister Teri (13 years younger than Linda) eventually settled in Gardena, CA. Linda graduated from Gardena High School in 1960. Her future husband Jim Vivonia also attended Gardena High School but they wouldn't meet until a few years later through a mutual friend.

Linda married Jim Vivonia on September 7, 1963 in Las Vegas. They raised their 4 children (Sue, Sandra, Joe and Jason) primarily in Southern California (Torrance, Fountain Valley and Lake Forest). The family also spent a few years in Scottsdale, Arizona from 1978-1984. Linda was a great mom! She was always there for her kids. She supported them even when she might not have agreed with them. She always spoke her mind and tried to steer them in the right direction. She stood up for her kids even when the bullies were their teachers. She was a fierce supporter and loved them as they loved her - with everything they had.

In 1989, Linda became a grandma for the first time. Being Grandma was something she love, love, loved.Giving cuddles, loving on them, and spoiling her grandkids was something she truly enjoyed.Linda's favorite sport was shopping and when it came to buying special things for her grandkids, she elevated those skills to champion level.She also always wanted front row seats at all graduations from kindergarten to grad school, concerts, shows, games and this past December, her oldest grandson's wedding. It was a Zoom wedding but she was able to see it. That made her happy!

Linda was a feisty, fiercely stubborn and wickedly fun person. Many of those traits are also shared with her children and grandchildren (thanks grandma!). Most people that met her thought she was a hoot!! She very much was! Unless of course you disagreed with her about something she had strong feelings about- politics come to mind. These last four years have been a test to that! She's been ranting at the TV (and anyone who will listen!!) for the last four years. The 2020 presidential election results and election of Joe Biden brought her great happiness. Her country could finally heal. Unfortunately she passed away just a few days shy of the inauguration but at least she knew we were going to be okay.

As Linda's health and mobility declined in the last few years of her life, she came to appreciate just how much her husband (with whom she recently celebrated her 57th Anniversary!) deeply cherished her.Jim cooked Linda's meals to order and served them bedside (breakfast not too early, of course, and Pepsi's on demand) and was on-call for anything she needed. During this time, they grieved the loss of their beloved dog Max together and Linda worried about how Jim was going to cope with the loss of his best buddy. She would pretend to be irritated at him for constantly checking her vital signs but really she knew it showed how much he loved her.And she loved him right back.

Of all the things that Linda was and will always be she is loved, very, very loved...
When her children were little she used to tuck them
in at night and tell them she loved them to the moon and back. Kids being competitive kids kept upping how much they loved their mom. So to the most loving mom, grandma, wife, daughter, sister and friend:
We love you and will miss you forever and for always. We will always love you
to the stars and the moon to very the end of our galaxy and any and all others and back again to infinity for always and forever...loved, very, very loved. Sweet dreams. We love you!

Linda is survived by her husband Jim, children: Sue (son-in-law Eric), Sandra, Joe, and Jason, grandchildren: Jake (new granddaughter-in-law Katie), C.J., Samantha, Matt, Nicky, Alex, Ella, Abby, and Josh, sisters: Judy and Teri and many nieces and nephews.

As per Linda's wishes (and due to Covid concerns) there will be no service or memorial. Please share happy thoughts and memories of Linda with your loved ones. That would have made her very happy.