Tributes

Linda Joyce Holland was born in Salinas, California, April 2, 1941 to Coy and Cordia Holland. The family moved often from Salinas to Turlock, and back again following the fertilizer work, finally settling in Turlock in 1947 where she made friends with kids from all over the Valley through attending several elementary schools. Linda was baptized in the Baptist church with her mother and twin brothers when she was 13 years old. Although she suffered many losses and disappointments in her life, she always trusted God would see her through. She leaned on her faith in God and prayer throughout her life. She was a tom-boy, who especially enjoyed playing with her twin brothers, Talmadge and Truman and their friends, but she made time to also take tap dancing and ballet lessons from June Jane Ripley in Turlock. Her time at Wakefield Jr High was memorable thanks to the Rhythm Beaters dances and the invitation to play basketball for Ricky’s Mickey’s that began her love of sports. Family tragedy also impacted her greatly when her brother, Truman was killed in a farming accident in Modesto at the age of 13. At Turlock High School she was active in the Girls Athletic Association and was chosen most Athletic her Senior year, 1959. She attended all the Portuguese dances, worked at the Giant Orange and the Egg Hatchery and Cannery alongside her mother, Cordia Holland. In those days the kids enjoyed water skiing in the canals, snow trips to Sonora, and boating on Turlock Lake. She bought her first car, a 1931 Model A Ford from Ron Allen. Her fondest memories were of growing up in Turlock with all her friends. In May of 1960, she married Gary Hill of Delhi, and they had two daughters, Shelli and Cheri. Not long after they were married Linda’s brother, Talmage, died in an auto accident at the age of 21. This devastated the family, especially Linda who was so close to her brothers. Linda divorced Gary in 1969 and moved back to Salinas with Shelli and Cheri to live near family. Linda had a business sense and was accomplished in banking and management. After 14 years in banking, Linda became executive secretary at the Northridge Mall and later was promoted to Promotional Director. She then accepted a transfer to the newly opening Capitola Mall in 1976, where she was the Assistant, On-site Manager. Linda also worked in bookkeeping for Royal Sluis in Salinas for many years before retiring. She enjoyed golf and bowling in Valley Center League. She was part of a close-knit group who spent weekends at Miller’s Lodge, in Arroyo Seco, camping. She loved fishing with Roxanne Faro, Tillie Pieri, her mother (Nana) and April Schmidt and Jana Henry at the San Luis Reservoir canals as often as they could get away. In 1990, she married a childhood friend, Larry Bush. They lived in Salinas until buying a home in Gonzales. She cared for her mother, Cordia Holland, for eight years after Cordia was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. In 2004, after Cordia passed, Linda and Larry moved to Springfield, Oregon to be close to daughter Shelli. In 2011, they moved back to CA to live near Cheri and family. Linda and Larry divorced in 2020. Linda then moved briefly to Modesto. In 2021, Linda was diagnosed with MDS (Myelodysplastic Syndrome). She began treatment right away but was hospitalized in December 2021 with pneumonia. Upon discharge and after realizing the care she needed she moved to La Grange to live with Cheri and husband Don. She fought so hard to extend her life with various treatments, including many blood transfusions. Linda was so grateful to her doctor and the infusion nurses at DMC Modesto, as well as the Outpatient staff at DMC for always being so helpful and caring through these past two years of her treatments. Linda spent the last years of her life surrounded by a loving family, her little dog, Pixie, and close contact with her Turlock friends. She passed peacefully at Alexander Cohen Hospice House on December 9, 2023, with her daughters by her side. She is survived by her daughters, Shelli Hill (Julio Sanchez) of Modesto and Cheri (Don) Hartsock of La Grange; her brother, Larry Gene Hawkins of Escalon; her ex-husband, Larry Bush of Turlock; along with grandchildren, Sean Jackson (Laura) of Bainbridge Island, Wa; Cori Ellis (Troy) of Springfield, OR; James Mauroni (Brooke) of Yuba City, CA; Mike Hartsock (Deanna) of Republic, WA; Justin Hartsock (Tina) of Lodi, CA and 7 great grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, February 3, 2024, at 1pm, at First Baptist Church, 1130 San Vicente Ave., Salinas, CA 93901. Light refreshments will be served. A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, March 27, 2024 , at 1pm, at the VFW Hall 1405 E. Linwood Ave. Turlock, CA 95380. Light refreshments will be served. A graveside service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at Turlock Memorial Park, 575 N. Soderquist Rd., Turlock, CA 95380. Linda’s family would like to thank Alexander Cohen Hospice House staff for their loving care. In lieu of flowers, donations to be made to Community Hospice and Health Care Services.

Tributes

Linda Joyce Holland-Bush

April 2, 1941 - December 9, 2023