Hermelinda "Linda" Alfaro Garcia

Hermelinda "Linda" "Mellie" (Ruiz) Garcia
November 26, 1949 - February 16, 2016
Linda was born and raised in Asherton, Texas, she was the 4th Child of Lazarro and Josepha (Alfaro) Ruiz.
Linda is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Dolores Ruiz and by her beloved daughter, Sophie Garcia.
Survivors include her husband of 46 years Julio Garcia, her two sons Julio Antoine (Victoria) and Andres (Tonia) Garcia, her grandchildren Anthony Medina, Mariah Angelita Pena, Kayla Perales, McKenzie Free, Sophia Garcia, Halia and Adrian Zarate, Arianna Garcia and great-grandbaby Leona Pena. Linda is also survived by her sister Marylou (Roy) Garcia, her brothers Gilbert (Nicki), Ricardo (Zulema), Lazarro (Diana) and Arnulfo Ruiz.
Linda lived in St Paul, Oregon until she moved to Independence with her new husband in 1969.
As a child, Linda had a passion for styling hair and she turned that love into a profession. Linda successfully owned and operated Hermelinda's Beauty Salon in Independence, OR for 43 years. She loved her job and her customers, which she considered friends. Linda's face and smile would always light up when friends or family visited the beauty shop. In August of 2015, due to her declining health Linda sold her shop and retired. Upon her retirement she said, "I miss my shop and if not for this illness I would still be working." Linda was an active member of her community in Independence, OR. She was a Culture Awareness Commissioner and a member of the Independence Library Board, where she served as President. As a woman of faith, Linda also enjoyed volunteering at St. Patrick Catholic Church. She would assist with classes and activities.
Family was Linda's number one priority. She devoted her time to her sons and her grandchildren, they always came first in her life. Her hobbies included playing bingo, coloring and reading with her grandkids. Linda also had a joy of reading books, traveling, going to movies, but mostly she loved working on her flower garden. Linda will be greatly missed by her family, and her friends, of which she made many. Rest in peace my love and enjoy eternity with our baby girl, Sophie.
A funeral mass is planned for Friday, February 19, 11 am at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Independence. Arrangements are in care of Farnstrom Mortuary. Memories and condolences at FarnstromMortuary.com.