Lynda Valdez "Gina"

Lynda Jean Valdez ("Gina"), 59, passed away on June 2, 2016 at her home in El Guache with family by her side after a short illness. Gina was born on July 26, 1956 in Denver, Colarado to Mary Alice Aldaco and late Joe Rodarte. She was the oldest of five children, two of which preceeded her death. Gina grew up in Corona, California where she was educated and where she graduated from high school in California. Gina gave birth to one daughter, Amber Lee Valdez, on Novermber 29th 1975 before she moved to Denver, CO and later married Sammy Valdez in 1982. Together, they moved to El Guache in 1986 and continued raising their family with Valerie DeMello, Marcia Martinez and Sam D. Valdez.
Gina loved her family and loved spending time with them. From outdoor barbeques, parties, drives to the mountains, picnics, camping, boating to her life at home with her husband and grand-daughter cooking, watching TV and listening to country music. She always had a smile on her face, a shoulder to cry on and an ear to listen. She was always willing to help in any way that she could with family and anyone else who needed it. She was generous, kind-hearted, feisty, loving, strong, stubborn, beautiful, thoughtful, direct and spirited. She loved life with all of her heart.
Gina started working as a pharmacy technician at Safeway Pharmacy in Thornton and continued to work as a pharmacy technician in Espanola.
She also worked for Dr. Akes and Dr. Siri Atima for a few years before returning to Walgreens and later working at
Fairview Pharmacy until she retired last month. She loved her jobs as a medical technician and a pharmacy tech, always continuing her education. She had so much fun with her coworkers, many of them becoming her friends.
She was preceded in death by brother, John Rodarte and sister Barbara Rodarte and father, Joe Rodarte. She is survived by her husband of 37 years, Sam L. Valdez, children Amber Valdez (Eliseo Trujillo), Valerie DeMello (Dave), Marcia Martinez (Paul), Davie (Sam) Valdez (Jennifer); grandchildren Devin (Dex) Valdez, Miranda Martinez (Ryan), Paul Anthony Martinez, Samantha Valdez, Jude Valdez, Davielynn Valdez. She is also survived by her mother Mary Alice Aldaco (Lee), brother, Joe Rodarte, sister Luann Rodarte; godchildren Jay Rodarte and Alex Rodarte; as well as many other family members to include nieces, nephews and in-laws. A rosary will be recited on Thursday, June 9, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Espanola, followed by a Memorial mass at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at the San Jose Cemetery in Hernandez. The family of Lynda Jean Valdez “Gina” has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley. 505-747-7477 – www.devargasfuneral.com

---