Linda Ann LaVallee

To the delight of her parents, Patty and Spud LaVallee, on August 20, 1981, Linda Ann LaVallee arrived to complete the family of five children, three boys and two girls (Michael, Susan, Mark, David & Linda). She got the prize of being the prettiest of all the babies at birth. Within a month or two after she was born, her mom discovered her in her crib having rolled over from front to back for the first time and looking up at her with eyes that reflected a very old soul. That glimpse of the spirit who had just joined the family is something remarkable about Linda. We saw that wise understanding again at age 9, when she wrote a profound poem about the death of her paternal grandfather. Her poem won awards and was later published. It showed a depth of understanding that was very unusual in a child of her age. When Linda was 8 years, a new sister, Thuy Cao, joined the family due to the loss of her own mother after emigrating to the United States from Vietnam. They soon learned to communicate as sisters do despite the language barrier. Linda was active, fun, a good athlete and a compassionate person who cared deeply about others, especially poor children around the world (active in Feed My Children). She participated in all sports during her schooling until deciding to focus on softball at Corona del Sol High School. She also played club softball on the Hot Shots team. After high school, she continued her education at ASU, graduating in 2005 with a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Business and Psychology degree. She completed a Post –Baccalaureate Degree in Early Childhood Education at Rio Salado College in 2011 where she was on the Dean’s Honor Roll. Finally at NAU in 2015, she completed her Masters of Education-Human Relations-4.0 GPA with Distinction. Of all of her accomplishments, Linda was most happy and blessed with the arrival of her daughter, Ellé Lorenne Smith, in 2012. Ellé is a red-headed version of her mother and Linda adored her. Father, Blake Smith, will continue to raise this wonderful girl with the help of Ellé’s special angel in heaven. Linda died on August 19th, one day shy of her 37th birthday. We are all grateful for having been blessed with such a wonderful presence in our lives and we feel certain that she is still present to us now be it across the veil. She had such a strong faith in Jesus Christ and we take comfort in knowing that she is with Him now. A Celebration of Linda's life will be held on Friday, August 31, 2018 at 10:00 AM at Christ Church of the Valley, 5835 West Ray Road, Chandler, Arizona. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the educational fund that has been established for Linda’s daughter, Ellé Lorenne Smith at https://go.fidelity.com/xz4rr

Richardson Funeral Home, Tempe, Arizona is compassionately serving the family.

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Celebration of Life

Christ Church of the Valley

Friday August 31st, 2018

10:00am

Chandler, AZ