We Remember

MENDES, Ermelinda “Linda”

May 8, 1931 — September 23, 2021

Beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Ermelinda Mendes passed away on September 23, 2021, having graced our Earth for 90 years.

“Linda” was born May 8, 1931, in a small town in Portugal (Pinhereino d’Azere). There she met and married Arnaldo Mendes. Arnaldo left Portugal in 1957 and arrived in Canada to make a new life for his family. Once he was established, he sent for Linda and their sons to join him in 1961. The family chose to live in the beautiful Okanagan, starting in Osoyoos, BC. Linda worked hard in local orchards and nurseries. She learned to speak English and quickly made friends. Linda was never afraid of hard work and was known for having a green thumb. She was famous for her huge and lush vegetable gardens, which she happily shared with others. She welcomed friends and family into her home and prepared amazing Portuguese meals. In her later years, Linda took up painting, and other arts and crafts, graciously gifting her family and friends with her projects.

Linda loved all people and spread warmth and kindness everywhere she went. Just as she grew beautiful gardens, Linda had a way of bringing people together, encouraging their love and compassion to flourish by her own example. She will be remembered most by her heartfelt connections to everyone she met.

Linda was predeceased by her husband, Arnaldo (d. 2006) and her sister Ceu. She is survived by her two sons Joe (Sandra) and Tony (Marcia); her six grandchildren Matthew (Kim), Daniel (Symphony), Ashley, Dyanna, Landon (Chelsea), and Austin (Michelle); as well as four great-grandchildren Whitton, Callaghan, Maxton and Roman. Known as “Aunty Melinda” to her family in Portugal, she will be missed by Rosa (Rui Sr.), John, Ceu, (Pedro), Maria Clara, Rui Jr; her niece Adilia (Rubim); and her cousin Odette (Jorge) and their 3 sons Paulo, Rafael, and Rui.

Family and friends were blessed to celebrate Linda’s 90th birthday and the 60th anniversary of arriving in Canada, just a few months ago.

The beauty of a life well lived never dies. It continues to embrace and inspire us.

Linda will live on in our hearts forever.

The family would like to thank Dr. Goutier and the amazing team at Cottonwoods for their support and care, particularly in Linda’s final days. You are truly heroes!

Private service by request. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Mental Health Association, www.cmha.ca, the Kidney Foundation, kidney.ca, or a charity of your choice.

“The kindest people are not born that way, they are made. They are the souls that have experienced much at the hands of life. They are the ones who have dug themselves out of the dark, who have fought to turn every loss into a lesson. The kindest people do not just exist, they choose to soften where circumstance has tried to harden them. They choose to believe in goodness because they have seen firsthand why compassion is so necessary. They have seen firsthand why tenderness is so important in this world.”

– Blanca Sparacino

 

If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.

Share with Others:

Share on Facebook
Share Via Email

Send Condolences
Send Flowers, Sympathy Card or Comfort Meal
 Canadian Mental Health Association, the Kidney Foundation, or a charity of your choice. Link: www.cmha.ca, kidney.ca

 


 


Condolences

  • Ana Vallejos & Alberto Boza says:
    October 2, 2021 at 6:39 pm

    Dear Joe, Sandra and family,
    Please, receive our deepest and sincere sympathy for the loss of Joe’s mother. A mother is a irreplaceable, a emptiness that it will never be filled.. We know she was kind, warm, loving and a dedicated mother, a memory that you all will always treasure. Alberto and Ana

    Reply
  • Jane Nordquist says:
    October 5, 2021 at 10:38 pm

    What a beautiful obituary. Your family are in my thoughts during this incredibly important transition. Joe’s mom was such a special part of your lives for so long and parting was surely the sweetest of sorrows. Sending love and light. .

    Reply
  • Craig Calder says:
    October 22, 2021 at 5:09 pm

    I always called Ermelinda “mamma Linda” when I was around her because she was so loving and friendly to everyone she met. To my Godfather Tony, I am so sorry for the loss of your precious mom. You were always such an amazing son to her. Condolences to my auntie Marcia and cousins Landon and Austin for their collective loss. Linda always made my Grandmother so happy when they got together and was her “best friend”. May she Rest In Peace.

    Reply

Leave a Condolence Message for the Family


» To share your condolence on this page please fill out the requested fields.
» If you have a photo to share, please do so as families appreciate it. To share a photo (please note, just one photo per condolence please), click the 'Choose File' button and select a photo from your computer.
» Once you are done, click the 'Share' button.
» Your email is never published or shared. Your name and email are both required.

NOTE: all messages will go through an administrative process before being posted.

Testimonials

They took care of me like family.

Judith Szabo

Everything was so organized and pertinent to what we needed. Everyone we met was kind, courteous and very helpful during our emotional and challenging time. Thank you so much.

Heather Mayne

They were so prompt on answering any questions and changing things. They were prepared and respected any religious decisions. The process was so seamless and made easy in such a high stress situation.

Tanya Kohar

In the past 2 years Springfield has helped us through the death of my Mother and my Father. Their response and help allowed us to focus on the remaining family rather than worrying about details of the funeral and all the notifications that are required upon a death.

Terry Eldridge

The atmosphere has been nothing but professional during times of grief.  After the passing of my mother, the staff coached me on the next steps and looked after filling in all the government forms that I needed to sign, which took a huge burden off my mind at the time.

Donald McClure

Everyone was so helpful and kind.  There was no pressure.  They provided exactly what we needed.

Diane Greenwood

From the time I called to the completion of all the services, I received compassionate, attentive and professional care.  There was a sense of caring from each staff member.  I was turning over my Mom to their care and I felt very comfortable with everyone.  I felt heard and never felt pushed into any decision.

Katherine Lewis

I have always found the team at Springfield Funeral Home to be VERY caring, kind, considerate and helpful.  I have and will continue to recommend them to anyone who asks which funeral home would I suggest they use.  No other funeral home I have dealt with even comes close to Springfield Funeral Home.

Ethna Tutt

Right at the onset, I was made very comfortable, there was no pressure.  I was made to feel as if I was the only one they had to serve.

Frances Baum

Everything that was arranged for us was perfect.  Our loved one, husband, father, brother was treated with respect.  Thank you for making this difficult time a little more acceptable via your staff’s obvious caring and respect.

Jacquelene Bluschke