Erlinda "Linda" Rances Samaniego

Erlinda Rances Samaniego passed away on March 9, 2021 in the I.C.U. unit at Kaiser Hospital in Fontana. Her heart stopped and was not able to recover despite life saving efforts by the medical staff. She has been in and out of hospitals the last 3 years due to bouts with seizure, pneumonia, complications from dialysis and a bad heart. She was being cared for at home full time by her family after suffering a debilitating stroke in March 2016 that left her unable to speak and paralyzed on her right arm and leg. She is survived by her two sons and two grandchildren. She wss laid to rest with her husband, Graciano “Sammy” Samaniego, and also next to her son, Dennis, at Montecito Memorial Park & Mortuary in Loma Linda, California, where services were held.

Erlinda was born on December 23, 1937 in the Philippines. She had 4 brothers and 2 sisters, all of whom has already passed. Her parents were Sotero Rances and Felisa Castillo (Rances). She graduated from college and became an executive secretary for Mobile Oil. Erlinda and Graciano got married on September 19, 1965. Ten years later, in 1975, the couple left behind their 3 young sons under the continuous care of her mother, to emigrated to the United States in search of a brighter future. They found good jobs, two years later bought a house and in that same year was soon joined by their three sons accompanied by her mother, reuniting the family once again. She continued her career in the Oil & Gas Industry as an executive secretary for ARCO (Atlantic Richfield Company) located in the ARCO Plaza twin towers in downtown Los Angeles. With strong ambition and courage, she was able to accomplish one of her childhood dreams - a better life in America. Over the later years, she began to enjoy playing slot machines and the card tables; especially Texas Hold’em where she and her husband frequented San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino in Highland where they enjoyed the company of friends, floor managers & staff and fellow players. She was a great cook along with her husband, always together in the kitchen. She also enjoyed watching horror & classic movies, game shows and listening to the greats like Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, Dean Martin and others. She was liked by many, got along with others and loved by her family and friends. Everyone whose lives she touched will dearly remember Erlinda.