A Celebration of Life: Linda Diane Jimenez
Linda Diane Jimenez passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 28, 2016 surrounded by her family at home in New Albany, OH, much too soon at the age of just 61. Linda is survived by her husband of almost thirty seven years, Joseph HL Jimenez, Sr. together with her three children, Sarah-Lynn Jimenez and her fiancé, Steven Cinquegrani, Joseph HL Jimenez, Jr and his wife, Emilie Jimenez and Cara Marina Ross and her husband Adam Ross. She was also blessed to be “Nana” to five (5) beautiful grandchildren, Jameson Leo Ross, Reina Louise Jimenez, Charlotte Josephine Ross, Caroline Mae Ross and Isabella Lynn Jimenez.
Born in San Antonio, Texas on June 14, 1954, Linda graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School and then received both her undergraduate degree and law degree from the University of Texas. She was influenced by her childhood struggling with juvenile arthritis and leveraged her law and human resource experience working at USAA to be a champion of social justice and a pioneer in the development of diversity and inclusion programs. She spearheaded these programs touching many lives along the way and leaving a lasting impression with her peers throughout her remarkable and fabled career working at H-E-B Grocery in San Antonio, TX, Abbott in Columbus, OH, Accor in Dallas, TX and finally retiring from Anthem in Indianapolis, IN. Always a supportive mentor, a compassionate leader and an unwavering advocate for others, her legacy lives on as the eponym for awards recognizing diversity and inclusion at both H-E-B and Anthem.
Even in failing health, Linda continued to do nothing but think of others always putting them first and ensuring that her family and friends would be taken care as she knew her transition was eminent. When she was wasn’t conquering the professional world or taking care of others, she could be found on the beaches of Cozumel, crisscrossing the country to visit friends and family, cheering on the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Cowboys or simply sitting on the floor being Nana to her grandkids. The consummate caretaker, a beloved wife, an amazing mother, a doting grandmother, a person of ethics and integrity and a shining example of a how a woman can leave her mark on others just by knowing them – there will never be another “Lula” (aka lunch lady to her children) and she is already missed.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am, Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at the Church of the Resurrection, 6300 E. Dublin-Granville Rd., New Albany, OH 43054. Celebrant, Fr. Jerome Rodenfels. An additional memorial service will follow in Linda’s hometown of San Antonio, TX at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church on Friday, March 11 at 9:30 am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network | www.pancan.org <http://www.pancan.org>.