Updated: 1/16/07

Page 1:  Our Linda

Linda's life was her children.  They, above all else, were her happiness.  Her heart was filled with care and concern for the needs of others, whether it was the special education kids she encountered at Fresno State and brought home, or the disadvantaged students who sat in her classroom. She ran a home that had a swinging door, and through that door came friends and family and all sorts of laughter.  Linda's parents and siblings lived in different parts of the country, yet she always found a way to bridge that distance with telephone calls, packages and extended trips with her children.

Linda was born in Denver, Colorado on June 9, 1962, to proud parents George and Jane Dalition.  At the time of Linda’s birth, George, 26, and Jane, 22, were living in Denver where George, a former United States Air Force pilot, was a United Air Lines flight instructor.  The first of five children, Linda was a stunningly beautiful child.  Affectionate and precocious, Linda delighted her young parents, and they adored her.   

Four years later, George and Jane moved to the San Francisco bay area where George was a pilot for United Air Lines.  Jane, a devoted stay at home mother, cared for a family that quickly grew to four young children.  Linda, a lively, dynamic little girl, attended kindergarten at the neighborhood school.  Through her adolescence, Linda excelled as a dancer, school cheerleader, and athlete.  She also took piano lessons for many years.  As the eldest child, Linda exhibited natural mothering instincts.  She doted on her brothers and sister in countless ways, deriving satisfaction from helping her mother.  But most of all, Linda was always her siblings’ most loyal friend and defender.  Fiercely proud of her family and loyal to a fault, the neighborhood kids suffered Linda’s wrath if they crossed one of her siblings.  A wonderful playmate, special friend and confidant, Linda was idolized by her younger siblings.

The family spent the next sixteen years in the Bay Area, and in 1980 Linda graduated from Notre Dame High School, an all girls parochial school.  That fall she entered Saint Mary’s College’s freshman class. 

Linda’s social, outgoing personality fit perfectly with the small Christian Brother’s college nestled in the Moraga Hills.  Linda thrived at Saint Mary’s where she played soccer and enjoyed the social aspects of college life while studying a liberal arts curriculum.  After Linda’s family moved from the Bay Area to Fresno, she transferred to Fresno State University where she graduated two years later with her teaching degree.  Linda then spent five years teaching at Fresno’s Mayfair Elementary School.  Although a strict disciplinarian, Linda’s high demands were combined with a genuine concern for each student.  She engaged her students and always brought the best out in them.    

Linda’s cousin introduced Linda to Mark Adanalian in 1986 and on May 30, 1987 they wed at the Holy Trinity Armenian Church.  As much as Linda enjoyed teaching, when she became a mother there was no question – she wanted to devote herself completely to motherhood. 

During a six-year period, Linda gave birth to four children. 

Linda devoted every living fiber to her children.  She relished motherhood.  Her house was filled with family photographs, children’s mementos, and poems celebrating the joy of family, children, and motherhood.  Delighting in her children’s every milestone, Linda approached each day as a new opportunity to nurture and develop them.  She knew what she wanted her children to be, and she worked tirelessly toward that goal.  To dance class, Mommy and Me, the school bake sale, the children’s basketball games, and Sunday school – Linda spent every waking minute with her children.

Her love of family was apparent to all who knew her. 

Linda glowed with pride when talking about her true joy – her children.  They were her source of happiness and fulfillment.  The results of her hard work were readily apparent in her warm, loving, fun children.

Linda was A wonderful daughter, sister, wife, aunt and friend. 

She enriched and brightened everyone’s lives – she is deeply missed.

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