Erlinda Oviedo Untalan

Erlinda Untalan of Torrance, California left our world to finally join her loving husband, Wilfredo, in Jesus’ eternal Paradise, on August 22, 2022, at the age of 86.

Erlinda, better known as "Linda" to family and friends, was born in 1936 and grew up in Dagupan City, Philippines Islands (PI) to Nicodemus and Juana Oviedo as their first-born. Following her mother's wishes, Erlinda first studied and graduated as a deaconess at Harris Memorial College. Later, she pursued a nursing degree from Mary Johnston College of Nursing and started her career at the affiliate hospital in Manila, PI.

Erlinda was one of many nurses to apply and emigrate to the United States, first arriving in 1972. She and Wilfredo already had 3 young children at the time. The children stayed behind in the PI with Erlinda’s parents. Seeing great opportunities abroad, they sadly left the children behind for 4 long years. The young couple first stayed with distant relatives, the Caampueds, who generously took them into their home until they could get their grounding. Erlinda was a top student throughout her life, so it was no surprise that she flourished as a nurse’s aide and quickly passed her nursing board exams to become a Registered Nurse in the U.S. She worked at Harbor-UCLA Hospital for over 25 years until her retirement.

Her sense of responsibility for her family was so deep, it resonated in her daily life. Erlinda worked the graveyard shift so she could be home when her young children left for and returned from school, would obtain groceries and wash clothes, often had a home cooked dinner prepared, and tucked them into bed. Continuing the Methodist faith of her parents, Erlinda brought her children to Torrance First United Methodist Church. She and Wilfredo also worked tirelessly to afford a home for their 4 children and eventually, to put them all through college. Even in retirement, she would continue to be a doting babysitter to her many grandchildren. Her pride and joy were in seeing the success and happiness of her children, and eventually her grandchildren. In turn, her children’s world revolved around their love for their mother. Erlinda was their steadfast foundation.

Erlinda leaves behind her four children who were blessed to call her the best mom in the world: Willen, Mirta Linda Engel (John), Wilfredo Jr. (Maribel), and Erwil (Elizabeth). She also leaves behind 13 grandchildren, in birth order, who love her dearly: Lauren, Sean McElmurry, John Engel II, Benjamin Engel, Cameron, Jacob Engel, Kalyssa, Samuel Engel, Kyla, Madeleine, Sydney, Joseph Nicholas, and Meredith. She also leaves behind her nieces, Alma Perado and Ammie Gabat, as well as all of her loving family in-law. Erlinda is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her younger siblings, Armenia Perado, Arturo, and Romy Oviedo.

Friends and family are invited at a viewing on Monday, September 5, 4:30 - 8:30 pm at the chapel of Green Hills Memorial Park, 27501 S. Western Ave., Rancho Palos Verdes. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, September 6, 10:30am at First United Methodist Church, El Prado, Torrance.