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Otilia (Hernandez) Linden of Whittier California formerly of Los Angeles California and El Paso Texas died peacefully in her sleep at 97 years old on Sunday, July 9, 2023. Born February 26, 1926, in Chihuahua Mexico, she is predeceased by her parents Maria Esparza Hernandez and Francisco Hernandez, her daughter Dora Luz Saucedo, and her grandsons Peter and Kenneth. Otilia is survived by her son Benny Limas and five grandchildren Martha, Yvette, Malina, Miriam, and Darla; 17 great-grandchildren Jessica, Gary, Timothy, Joshua, Amanda, Amber, Nathaniel, Joshua M., Noah, Isaiah, Dora, Elyssa, Ethan, Elijah, Jarred, Hannah, and Madison and 8 great-great-grandchildren Benji, Elizabeth, Riley, Benicio, Gabriel, Moses, Soriyah and Aurora. Otilia was one of 11 children of her parents who were married for 50 years. She was born at home with the help of a nurse her dad went to get in a carriage. She was raised with very little and was only able to attend school from 1st to 6th grade. Growing up she enjoyed playing “la arana”, “encantados” and “cebollitas”. She had to learn to cook, sew and clean at a very young age. She did very well in school learning to read and write. At 14 she went to beauty school for 2 years to learn how to do hair. All the money she earned was given to her parents to help the family. At age 16 she was able to wear lipstick and had her first boyfriend. Otilia was married on September 26, 1946, at the age of 20. Her fiancé bought her an expensive beautiful white wedding dress. Her wedding consisted of a ceremony and dinner but no dancing. She moved to El Paso Texas with her husband to start their life together in the United States. She was the first in her family to immigrate to the United States. She learned to speak and write English and worked in a sewing factory but spent most of her career working in binding books. She became a US Citizen and was very proud to be able to vote in 1996. One of the most important events in her life was April 3, 1977. On that day, her daughter asked her to go to a Johnny Barton crusade in Los Angeles with the whole family. She gave her heart to the Lord Jesus Christ at 51 years old. Otilia lived a modest life but always was happy and giving to others. She shared the Lord every day throughout the streets of Los Angeles into her nineties. One of her favorite Bible verses was Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” She read her Bible daily and loved to sing worship songs in her home. She wanted her family to know that when she died she didn’t want sadness but to know she had eternal life and would be living forever because she had Jesus Christ in her heart. Her prayer for her family was Proverbs 3:6 “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Her desire was that her family be together, love each other, and live in peace. She wanted her family to know that true joy comes through relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. She touched all our family’s lives as well as brought 100’s to God’s Kingdom. She will be greatly missed but will continue to live through her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Tributes

Otilia Hernandez Linden

February 26, 1926 - July 9, 2023