Linda Saenz

Linda Pack Saenz, 85, died peacefully on Saturday, June 14, 2025 in Austin, TX. Born on August 15, 1939 in Perryton, TX and raised in Carlsbad, NM, Linda was the daughter of Edward Lynn Pack and Alta Hays Pack.

After attending Eastern New Mexico University and the University of New Mexico, Linda moved to Los Angeles, CA in the mid-1960s. One day, while searching for a new apartment, she stopped at a phone booth to make a call. Later, she realized that she'd left her wallet there. Luckily, a young LAPD officer, Armando Saenz, had stopped at the same phone booth shortly after she left and, after some detective work, he was able to track down Linda to return her wallet. This chance encounter led to a first date and then to a marriage that would last for 55 years.

In 1970, the young couple left California to be closer to family in Texas, settling in Corpus Christi, TX where their two children were born. Beginning in 1980, the family moved around the Gulf Coast following Armando's career opportunities. It was during this time that Linda raised a family and worked as a legal secretary for law firms in Houston, TX, Lafayette, LA, and Tampa, FL, eventually retiring from the Houston law firm of Vinson & Elkins in 2007.

Those early years of retirement in Houston were some of the happiest of Linda's life. In their matching tracksuits, Linda and Armando filled their days taking classes and day-trips through Lone Star College's Lifelong Learning Program, volunteering in the college's library, becoming involved in the Harris County Democratic Party, and, most importantly, spending time with their grandchildren. Trips to Austin and Minneapolis for babies, birthdays, and ball games; hosting Thanksgivings full of homemade cream-based dishes and pies; and Christmases featuring perfectly-wrapped presents. Every visit was filled with hugs and encouragement, and always ended with the famous "slow wave goodbye" until next time.

We remember Linda as a kind, giving, and hard-working mother who never passed up the opportunity to work overtime or take on a second job to provide a little extra for her family, to be the "team mom" for her children's sports teams, or to stay up late helping her children put the finishing touches on a school project. Her children and grandchildren were her world and she did all that she could do to love, support, and encourage them.

Linda is survived by her husband, Armando, son, Paul Brandon Saenz (Alexandra), daughter, Andrea Saenz (David Wilhelm), and grandchildren, Joseph Archer Saenz, Carmen Linda Saenz, Robert Prentice Saenz, and Ramona Irene Saenz-Wilhelm. We would like to give a special thanks to the caregivers at Bristol Hospice (especially Brandon Clark and Nancy Matali) for their kindness and compassion during the final months of Linda's battle with Alzheimer's disease. A private family gathering will be held to honor Linda's life.