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Linda Lou Hopper

1952 - 2022

Linda Lou Hopper obituary, 1952-2022, 45 Year Resident Of Santa Cruz, CA

BORN

1952

DIED

2022

FUNERAL HOME

Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel - Santa Cruz

1050 Cayuga St

Santa Cruz, California

Linda Hopper Obituary

Linda Lou Hopper
January 6, 1952 - January 25, 2022
45 Year Resident of Santa Cruz

Family and friends are mourning the loss of a wonderful wife, mom, devoted friend, and noted conversationalist Linda Hopper who passed away with her loving family at her bedside following a 4 ½ year battle with cancer. She celebrated her 70th birthday January 6.
Linda was born in Fresno, California and raised in Salem, Oregon. She was a well-known and much loved restaurateur in Santa Cruz for several decades as the co-owner of Danny's Diner and Linda's Sea Breeze Café, and owner of The Silver Spur for 22 years. Her 47-year career in the restaurant business began as a server in Corvallis, Oregon. Linda left Salem to attend school in California, and graduated from Stanford University, majoring in psychology. One day she took a drive over the hill to visit a cousin in Santa Cruz. She always said that once she saw the Boardwalk, she knew this was the place for her. She soon started as a server at the Dream Inn, followed over the years by stints at Carniglia Brothers, Bubble Bakery, the East Lake Coffee Shop, Casa Rosita, Zoccoli's Deli, and other local cafes. She met her husband Mike at The Cook Book restaurant in Seacliff in 1988. They met in April, started dating in August, and were married in December. They celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary recently.
Linda was intensely curious about people and their life stories. Linda wanted to know what it was like to be them. Her keen interest in her customers was evident while waiting tables, and she possessed an incredible memory of the names of regular customers and even those who she would see but once a year on their vacations. She would startle return customers by remembering not just their names but what they liked to eat, how they liked it cooked, and when they wanted their coffee refilled. Linda was breathtakingly generous and caring. She cherished the opportunity to make someone feel at home, and maybe even buy their breakfast. She reserved a special place in her heart for the very old and very young. Folks down on their luck were never sent away without a bite to eat. She had two concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic. One was that her employees would be provided for. The other was that she was not sure she could operate a business where hugging was not allowed.
After retirement, Linda loved walks on the beach with her dog and lunch with old friends. She volunteered her time with the California Grey Bears, and was a long-time contributor to Second Harvest Food Bank, feeling strongly that everyone deserved enough to eat.
She is survived by her loving husband Michael Hopper of Aptos; her son and daughter-in-law, Dave Hopper and Andrea Alheit of Soquel; her sister Jananne Gaver of Soquel; her step-sister Nancy O'Callaghan of San Francisco; and nieces, nephews and cousins all over California. She also leaves a host of cherished friends and co-workers who will truly miss her love and guidance. Their expressions of sympathy and love comforted her and have been a source of inspiration to her family. She also wanted to recognize the friendship, care, and compassion of the nurses and staff at the Katz Cancer Resource Center.
A private committal at sea is planned, with a celebration of her life to be announced later in the spring. Please visit Caringbridge.com or the Benito and Azzaro Homepage to share your thoughts and reflections with her family. Linda requested that all donations benefit Second Harvest Food Bank, or any other charity that helps those less fortunate.
"See you soon…"


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Published by Santa Cruz Sentinel on Feb. 6, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
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Cliff Lindgren

January 31, 2025

There will never be another restaurant quite like Linda's. I do miss having breakfast or lunch at the "Spur". She had a special way of making you feel welcome. Her meals were always delicious. She hired the best cooks & waitresses. Always so friendly & efficient. Her business ran like a well-oiled machine. RIP Linda.

Gail Davis

January 31, 2024

I met Linda in1982 when my late husband, who was a teacher at Soquel Elementary took me to her restaurant around the corner from the school. She was a fixture in my entire married life, and she was, as everyone knows, Wonderful. Good food, and spectacular company!

Rebecca Lundberg

June 5, 2023

Linda, a beautiful woman. Her smile would fill the room with light! We will miss her and always remember her warmth and generosity.
Warmly, A loyal customer

Gail Davis (wife i of Richard Sullivan)

May 27, 2023

Linda's passing is the end of an era. She was special and wonderful.

Candida Stricklen

May 21, 2023

I met Linda through my old friend Genevieve Langua at the Silver Spur and Linda´s Seabreeze. Her food was high quality and she had a gift of cooking tasty, well put together meals. Bacon burgers were the best and all her breakfast items! She was an incredible woman and nice to all. She was a mentor to Tex who owns the Seabreeze and the woman who owns the Cowboy Cafe in Watsonville and the food they serve reflects that. I miss her kind soul!

Cliff Lindgren

January 31, 2023

Everytime I drive by the Spur I can still see Linda & Patti (in my minds eye) standing behind the counter with their wonderful smiles on their faces. I miss them both.

Erika

March 8, 2022

Linda was a wonderful person with such a wonderful smile. She made everyone feel welcome and loved. It made me so sad to hear she lost her battle with cancer.

Curtis Lofgren

February 14, 2022

Linda was a close friend in the 70's. She brightened. I will always remember her smile, her sense of humor and her ability to make instant friends. My heart goes out to the family.

Tom Pretzer

February 14, 2022

Linda and her family provided so much love and support in helping me deal with the loss of my sister, Patty Conway, and were there throughout her illness and passing. For that I will always be eternally grateful. Just an example of the love and compassion Linda gave to everyone she cared for. Our family's deepest condolences go out to Mike and his family.

Becky Hughes

February 13, 2022

Warmth and Hospitality...generated by its owner, Linda Hopper...What attracted us to The Silver Spur...

Cliff N Lindgren

February 7, 2022

Oh how I miss the Silver Spur and seeing Linda busy keeping her great restaurant running like a well-oiled machine. I always marveled how well managed everything was. She put Chicken Salad sandwiches on her menu from time to time at my request. I will miss you, Linda. Rest peace. You made so many, many folks so happy at breakfast & lunch time. You made each and every one of us feel special. What a gift. Rest in peace.

Bob Blonder and Vi Allain

February 6, 2022

So sorry to hear of Linda's passing. We love her. She was so great in sharing her love with us, over many years. Bob own's the Heavenly Cafe property in Scott's Valley. Bob and Linda shared a love for serving people, as restauranteurs' and members of the Santa Cruz community. We moved away 2 years ago, but she kept in touch, still sharing of herself and caring about us. She loved her family and sent pictures of her sons wedding. To her family, God bless you all. We realize this is a tremendous loss for you. I'm sure that you know that her memory lives in your hearts and ours, along with some of her recipes. Her recipe for a lovely life and the joy and caring she extended to our lives will continue always. Love to you all, Bob and Vi

Deborah

February 6, 2022

Linda was a wonderful caring friend. She worked with my Mother for many years at Carniglia Brothers on the wharf, my Mother and my Father and myself loved Linda, we followed her at every restaurant she worked at or owned, the last being the Silver Spur. Linda loved my Mother and Father, Tom and Millie Brewster, I would take them to The Silver Spur often before they passed. We loved her pancakes and bread pudding. Linda, we will miss you, rest well in heaven and please hug my Mom and Dad for me. Sending love and prayers for all of Linda's family and friends. Debbie Cassel

Scott H

February 6, 2022

Sweeter than a short stack of blueberry pancakes in my heart.
R.I.P. Linda and thanks for the memories.

Mike and Emerson

February 4, 2022

There are no words. No words.
Linda will always be remembered. Linda's personality made everyone around her better.
Her friendship and love was SPECIAL.
Linda and Patty are together in heaven now. Love you and miss you so much.

Showing 1 - 15 of 15 results

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Funeral services provided by:

Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel - Santa Cruz

1050 Cayuga St, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

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