Linda Casillas Grisolia

GRISOLIA, LINDA CASILLAS Born Linda Lee Casillas, Linda Grisolia passed away peacefully but unexpectedly during the night of October 23, 2003. The eldest of 6 siblings, she was truly extraordinary in her instinctive generosity, her deep wisdom and her spirituality. A traveler on four continents, she was on a first name basis with Nobel prizewinners, yet had served the poorest and most desperate in the emergency departments of Scripps Chula Vista and SD Physicians and Surgeons hospitals. She empathized with people from all walks of life, yet she was never afraid to give her opinion or to raise her voice against injustice. As a student at SDSU, she marched with Cesar Chavez for better conditions for farm workers. Nearly 30 years later, traveling in China opened her eyes to Communist oppression, and she was instrumental in bringing activist Harry Wu, a survivor of the Chinese prison camps, to an international violence conference in Spain. After many difficult years, Linda found her true love Jim. She enjoyed working in his medical office and traveling with him professionally. She particularly enjoyed traveling to Spain to assist with the Rey Jaime I prizes in science, technology and economics, as well as the meetings of the Queen Sofia Center for the Study of Violence. Her command of Spanish and her warmth made her much beloved by international scientists and the city of Valencia, from the highest society to every maid, waiter and doorman. Linda ' s uncommon generosity created a feeling of plenitude in all who knew her, a sense that the world could be a kind place, overflowing with richness and possibility. Her warmth infused her latest project, helping her old friends Faye and Norman Vanderbilt open ERA Davies Vanderbilt, where she eagerly threw herself into learning the intricacies of real estate. She is survived by her parents, Armando and Margaret Casillas, her husband James Grisolia, MD, her stepson Michael Grisolia, and siblings Shirley Schnitz, Cathy Jamieson, Debby Warlop, Cyndi Casillas and Richard Casillas. She was a devoted aunt and madrina to Andrea and Belinda Schnitz; Jon and Bruce, Jr Jamieson; Sean, Loren and Scott Warlop; Tiffanie, Brianna and Aaron Casillas; Francisco and Gianna Grisolia, and a "near-army" of god-children. Viewing will occur at Glen Abbey on Tuesday, October 28, 2003 from 4:00-9:00 pm with a rosary at 7:00 pm. A celebratory mass will be held at St Michael ' s Church on Wednesday, October 29,2003 at 10:00 am, with a reception to follow at EastLake Pavilion. Donations are encouraged to the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego, 2055 El Cajon Blvd, SD 92104, 619-296-0161 www.epilepsysandieg.org