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Erlinda “Linda” Abilez-Perez was called home by Our Lord Jesus Christ early on Monday, September 4th, 2023. Linda is now reunited with her daughter Ana Luz Velazquez, and step-son Ismael Velazquez Jr; Parents, Ester Gonzales; and Alifonso & Maria de Jesus Abilez, and her youngest brother, Juan Abilez, all who preceded her in passing from this earth. Linda is loved and will be missed by her beloved husband Edward Perez; her son, Luis A. Velazquez, and his wife Ahkeshia; and her grandchildren, Kayleigh Melton, Olivia Velazquez, Gabriela Velazquez, Honora Andreasen, Arriana Velazquez, Elijah Velazquez and Selena Velazquez, and extra/”pilon” grandson, Henry Gutierrez. Linda was a Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Tia/Aunt, Cousin, Madrina, and a great Friend to many. She was raised in a household where she was 4th from the oldest and helped with her younger brothers and sisters. Linda attended Riverside & Hillcrest Elementary, and Burbank Jr/Sr high school, graduating in 1972. Her most cherished roles in life were that of Mother & Grandmother. She was first a mother and protector, making sure she did what needed to get done to be at every sporting event from girls CYO softball & basketball, boys CYO baseball & basketball to every R.O.T.C. competition, and middle school & high school football games that her kids were participating in. She chaperoned at high school dances, which her kids were not crazy about, and at times would not tell her about upcoming dances, but somehow Linda found out & was there helping out at the dance. Seriously, Linda LOVED her children with every fiber of her body & with all her soul. She was very proud of both her children, and acknowledged that if it was not for her kids she would not have ever made it through the difficult times of losing their father and having to finish raising them alone. And if it was not for her son she would not be here after losing her daughter & step son. Luis brought strength, love, light and laughter back to her life. She thoroughly loved Luis, and loved dancing with him. The love for her children remained unmatched, until the grandchildren came along, and seemed to become more profound and less serious. She would literally change her schedule at work to be at every event for her grandchildren from elementary through high school, even working overnight shift for several years to be there for them. Her San Antonio grandchildren were blessed with much more time with her, which included lunch at school with Grandma, shopping sprees, and going out to lunch/dinner, just because. She made it a point to be at every play/theater production her grandchildren were in, up to their time in college. She wanted to make sure her granddaughters received their flowers after their amazing performances. Before she passed she told her sisters to make sure her girls continued to get their flowers. We will try Sis. Linda made it to Idaho as often as she could to see, enjoy, and be present to her younger grandchildren, taking them gifts/goodies ,and playing with them as long as she could. She loved her time with them and often praised God for Facetime. Linda loved her whole family including siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles, and her many friends. Linda rarely missed a party, quinceanera, wedding, anniversary party, New Years Celebrations, and Tamalada at Mom & Dad’s house. She always tried to make every event (not only because she loved to dance), but because she loved celebrating her loved ones. Linda loved to dance, she loved her Dallas Cowboys, and San Antonio Spurs, but the Cowboys were always 1st and foremost. Linda’s various workplaces provided her with some great co-workers, who became great life-long friends, like family. It was at her last workplace that Linda met the love of her life. Someone who loved her unconditionally , was proud of her, and spoiled her. At first she could not believe it. She was waiting for him to change, but he never did. Linda thanked God for putting Edward in her path. She had never met anyone like Edward, and was very happy to be his wife. Edward followed through on every commitment he made to Linda, he took over every household chore, the cooking and caring for Linda during the times she could not. Linda’s son Luis, all her siblings, and really the whole family thank Edward for loving her the way he did and caring for her until the very end. We love you Edward. Linda is survived by her siblings, Luis Abilez (Alice), Janie Abilez, Ray Abilez (Francis), Alicia Abilez, Dora Castro, Anita Abilez and Alfonso Abilez Jr. (Maria), Yolanda Whitley (Todd), and Diana Chavez (Robert). And by Edward’s sons, Scott Perez and his wife Cynthia, and Stephen Perez and his wife Jennifer. And her mother in law, Regina Perez; Brothers in law Rick Perez, and Danny Perez Missing Linda are also her many nieces & nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and a host of friends.

Tributes

Erlinda Abilez Perez

May 27, 1953 - September 4, 2023