Carmel Valley, California

Linda Marie Minorini Kaufman, 81, renowned for her genuine, warm smile, affectionate laughter, and quick, charming wit, passed away on Monday, July 22, surrounded by loved ones in her Carmel Valley home, where she had lived for more than 50 years.

In Linda's home, there was always room at the dining room table for friends and neighbors, who often coincidentally dropped by at mealtime, due to Linda’s exceptional culinary skills and hospitable nature. Deeply rooted in and connected to her Italian heritage, lasagna and spaghetti were among her specialties but tacos and chicken al king were other fan favorites. She was also renowned for her baked goods and her delicious fresh-squeezed lemonade, made from lemons picked from her own tree.

Linda was among the warmest and welcoming of people - both inside and outside the home. She had close connections with relatives, friends, neighbors on Panetta Road as well as co-workers and women in bowling and bunco groups. Her calm and accepting nature made her very approachable, and she often found herself wondering why strangers would share their life stories with her, whether in the grocery store or out on errands.

She was the epitome of a devoted mother and grandmother, known as Mimi Linda to her grandchildren. She took immense pride in their lives and accomplishments.

Present at the births of her grandchildren, she often reminded them of the special moment she witnessed during their arrivals. She remembered every detail of their lives, attended games, school performances, sleepovers and spent as much time with them as possible. Linda enriched her children and grandchildren's lives in countless ways, leaving an indelible mark on them. She kept organized folders for cards and art projects that each of her children and grandchildren created over the years.

As the eldest of three children, Linda was the de facto babysitter and often traveled several blocks with her siblings in tow for treats at the local soft serve ice cream shop. Like many young girls in the 1950s, Linda was a big fan of Elvis Presley and later bought her first album by another favorite artist of that era, Johnny Mathis.

Linda attended Highland Park High School and graduated from Holy Family Academy in 1960. She attended Northern Illinois University and later, took various courses at Monterey Peninsula College including art, painting and stained glass.

Linda was the first person born at the Lake Forest Hospital on November 2, 1942, and grew up in nearby Highland Park, Illinois. She was the guest of honor at a Baby Alumni party some years later and featured in a newspaper article in advance of the event.

In 1962, Linda relocated from Illinois to the West Coast, where she married her late ex-husband Warren Alden Kaufman and gave birth to her first child, William Sante Kaufman. The trio lived in the Bay Area communities of Canyon and Berkeley before moving to Carmel Valley in 1970. In 1971, Christopher Noel Kaufman was born and in 1973, Lisa Belle (Kaufman) Marsh was born.

Inwardly and quietly strong and tenacious, Linda survived some harrowing life experiences in the most graceful way including: a near-death car accident, breast cancer and a stroke.

She is survived by her children, William Sante Kaufman, Christopher Noel Kaufman and Lisa Belle (Kaufman) Marsh & Jon Marsh, grandchildren, Billy Alden Kaufman, Lilli Belle Marsh, Beauden Alexander Marsh and Everleigh Elizabeth Marsh, and siblings, Valerie Ann Feltman and Sam Theodore Minorini.

Linda is preceded in death by Warren Alden Kaufman, parents Mary Louise Minorini and Sante “Sam” Anthony Minorini.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, September 7 from 1-4 pm at the Carmel Valley Trail &Saddle Club, 399 E Garzas Rd., Carmel Valley, Calif.