Obituary

Linda Ruth Marfone passed away peacefully at her home in Monarch Beach, California on December 8, 2025. She was born to Lawrence and Elise Medford in Anchorage Alaska on February 29, 1948. And what an extraordinary leap year baby she was! In fact that theme continued throughout the course of her life.

Linda grew up in Long Beach, California and was very active as a singer and dancer, performing in the Civil Lights Opera. She proudly attended Long Beach Poly High School, graduating in 1966.

Linda appeared on two tv game shows, including “Let’s Make a Deal” and “The Price Is Right”. Her excitement winning on Let’s Make a Deal became a commercial for the show.

In 1977, Linda met her husband Patrick on a Co-ed soccer team in Walnut Creek, California. It was love at first sight.

In 1978, Linda and Patrick moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She became the owner of Hillary’s Gourmet Ice Cream in South Philadelphia. Her parlor was featured on the local news channel and won Philly’s Best Ice Cream award from Philadelphia Magazine.

Linda and Patrick were able to travel the world together. The majority of their travels were to Europe, the Caribbean, and Hawaii. Linda particularly loved Italy and France, enjoying the cultures, people and food. They made multiple trips to Jamaica where Linda acquired her love for curried goat and Bob Marley’s reggae music.

Linda is survived by her husband Patrick, her sons Jim (Deanna), David (Roni), Jason (Sally), and Ryan (Nikki). Her youngest son Stephen passed away in 2002 from cerebral palsy complications. Loving Stephen was Linda’s biggest accomplishment as she nurtured and cared for him for 18 years.

Linda is also survived by her sister Martha Sodetani, nieces Kimmy (Robert), Melissa (Lori), Skylar and her nephews Robert(Dottie) and Gordon Michael.

Linda’s surviving grandchildren are Linda, Sean, Taylor, Macy, Francesca, Alexandra, and Naomi. She was the most devoted and loving grandmother.

Linda was known for her vibrant personality, beauty, and most importantly loving nature. Her sense of humor and laugh were infectious and unforgettable. She was a great lover of Golden Retrievers and is survived by her sweet dog, Charlie Belle.

Linda has passed on to be with her son Stephen who died on the same day in 2002, her Mother and Father, and brothers-in-law Gordon Sodetani and Deane Marfone. However, she will live forever in the hearts of all her survivors and friends too numerous to mention.

A family “Celebration of Life” will be held at O’Connor Mortuary in Laguna Hills California on Sunday December 14.