Obituary for Erlinda J. Rock
Erlinda “Linda” Julian Rock, 77, of Camano Island, Washington, passed away suddenly due to heart complications on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at Whidbey Health Medical Center in Coupeville, Washington.
She was born on December 2, 1944 in the Ilocos Norte region of the Philippines to Rafael and Juanita (Bautista) Gabrieles. Linda and her immediate family immigrated to the Seattle area in 1964. During her journey to the United States, she met Tony Rock, Sr., and they eventually married in 1966. She raised their two sons and made numerous friends as the family moved and resided in Houston, Texas and then Liberal, Kansas. She started a professional career in her early 40s, first in banking and then as a manager with the Internal Revenue Service, where she retired in 2019 after 25 years of service.
Linda was an expert bridge player and played in clubs and tournaments across the country for nearly 50 years. She loved animals and could always be found with a dog at her side. As a naturalist, she found peace and joy within the gardens she built and nurtured at her residences in Camano Island and Whidbey Island. And she was always up for a good margarita to accompany her latest book, and the first to raise a hand to prepare and serve adobo. Linda will be long remembered for her grit and tenacity, generosity to others, and her attitude of ‘carpe diem’.
Linda is preceded in death by her parents and her former husband. She is survived by her children Tony Rock, Jr. (Meg) and Thomas Rock; her grandchildren Gabrielle and Jennifer; her brother Fred Santiaguel; her sister Tomasa Stevenson (David); and many nephews, nieces, relatives and friends that loved her.
A visitation will be held from 11:00am to 1:00 pm, a memorial service from 1:00pm to 2:00pm, on Saturday, September 24, 2022, at Wallin-Stucky Funeral Home in Oak Harbor, Washington.
The family suggests contributions in Linda’s memory may be made to the Whidbey Animals Improvement Foundation in Coupeville, Washington.
She was born on December 2, 1944 in the Ilocos Norte region of the Philippines to Rafael and Juanita (Bautista) Gabrieles. Linda and her immediate family immigrated to the Seattle area in 1964. During her journey to the United States, she met Tony Rock, Sr., and they eventually married in 1966. She raised their two sons and made numerous friends as the family moved and resided in Houston, Texas and then Liberal, Kansas. She started a professional career in her early 40s, first in banking and then as a manager with the Internal Revenue Service, where she retired in 2019 after 25 years of service.
Linda was an expert bridge player and played in clubs and tournaments across the country for nearly 50 years. She loved animals and could always be found with a dog at her side. As a naturalist, she found peace and joy within the gardens she built and nurtured at her residences in Camano Island and Whidbey Island. And she was always up for a good margarita to accompany her latest book, and the first to raise a hand to prepare and serve adobo. Linda will be long remembered for her grit and tenacity, generosity to others, and her attitude of ‘carpe diem’.
Linda is preceded in death by her parents and her former husband. She is survived by her children Tony Rock, Jr. (Meg) and Thomas Rock; her grandchildren Gabrielle and Jennifer; her brother Fred Santiaguel; her sister Tomasa Stevenson (David); and many nephews, nieces, relatives and friends that loved her.
A visitation will be held from 11:00am to 1:00 pm, a memorial service from 1:00pm to 2:00pm, on Saturday, September 24, 2022, at Wallin-Stucky Funeral Home in Oak Harbor, Washington.
The family suggests contributions in Linda’s memory may be made to the Whidbey Animals Improvement Foundation in Coupeville, Washington.