Linda Senecal

Linda Senecal (Mancilla), age 78, passed peacefully from this life early Sunday, February 28, 2021 in her room at The Bluffs in Columbia, Missouri. Linda was born to Celestino (Les) and Betty Mancilla on January 14, 1943 in Aurora, Illinois. She was a devoted mother of five and she considered her children to be her life’s work and greatest accomplishments.

While raising her family in Owensville, Missouri, Linda worked as a clerk at both Dollar General and True Value Hardware stores. Friends and neighbors looked forward to being greeted with her smiles and laughter. While in Owensville, Linda was a devoted member of First Assembly of God Church where she also shared her talents with numbers and music while serving as the church’s bookkeeper and song service leader. Later, when Linda moved back to Elgin, Illinois to be near her parents and siblings, she worked as a housekeeper at Elgin Mental Health Center where she was known to have a strong work ethic and a tendency to sing and dance as she cleaned.

Linda was always prepared to share her song with those around her, even making a brief, one-time appearance on stage with the Oak Ridge Boys at Silver Dollar City. She also possessed the unique ability to add magic to the mundane, making homemade Halloween costumes or a simple meal of tortillas and beans feel like acts of love rather than frugal necessities. She will always be remembered for her persistent faith in God’s goodness, her biscuits and gravy, and her unforgettable laugh.

Linda is survived by two daughters, Susan (Rich) Senecal and Monica (Russ) Palmer; two sons, Michael Senecal and Mark (Cindy) Senecal; one brother, Charles (Claire) Mancilla; two sisters, Patricia Schue and Frances Hattendorf; her dear friend, Paul Senecal; ten grandchildren, Stephanie, Derrik, Crystal, Nicollette, Brandy, Mark Jr., Devin, Logan, Gabriel and Anastasia; and eleven great-grandchildren, Connor, Bailey, Teagan, Colton, Evelyn, Cora, Charlotte, Greyson, Carson, Daxton and Sloane. Linda was preceded in death by both parents, her Aunt Helen, and her beloved daughter, Antoinette and baby.

Linda’s life will be celebrated Saturday, March 6, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. in an intimate service for immediate family at Memorial Funeral Home’s Chapel. Friends and extended family are invited to attend virtually by streaming the service online.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Alzheimer’s Association or your local food pantry in Linda’s honor.