Erlinda Linda Valencia

Erlinda “Linda” Salazar Valencia, 82, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, passed away peacefully on March 17, 2026. She was born on December 20,1943 to Lucinda Barela Salazar and Onesmio Salazar in San Rafael, New Mexico. After a brief residence in Flagstaff, Arizona and California she moved to Albuquerque where she raised her 5 children in her North Valley home. Linda spent her life helping, caring, and providing for her children and later in life her granddaughters. She enjoyed her time playing bingo, being with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and visiting her sister in Flagstaff. She was the heart of the family and always gave a helping hand to anyone in need. She was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend.

She was survived by her son Peter, daughters Yvonne (Johnny Ray), Veronica (Archie), Angie, Valerie and her sister Shirley Baca. She is also survived by her 10 grandchildren Chris (Sherrie), Donaciano “Junior” (Monica), Joshua (Roberta), Benjamin (Martina), Cassandra (Anthony), Isaac (Mari), Ashley, Vincent, Angel, Cyrena and 20 great-grandchildren Natasha, Anthony, Aliyah, Amari “Son”, Antrel “Baby son”, Uriah, Donaciano “Nico”, Anastacio, Sophina, Adrian, Ignacio, Joseph, Rosalie, Arthur, Dolly-Rae, Chloe, Rueben, Felix, Elijah, and Ian.

She was preceded in death by her parents Lucinda Barela Salazar and Onesmio Salazar, husband Vincente Valencia, sisters Lena Benavides (Donny), Lizzy Tachias-Fajaredo (Tio, Johnny), Isabel Padilla, and brother-in-law Reuben Baca.

A Rosary will be held April 17th, 2026 at 10:30 am at Our Lady of Guadalupe, 1860 Griegos Road NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107. A Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 am. Burial will follow Mass at the Fairview Memorial Park.