Florinda "Linda" Candelaria Peak's Obituary
Florinda “Linda” Candelaria Peak of Dallas, Texas, passed away New Year’s Eve, December 31st, 2019, in Frisco, Texas, surrounded by her loving family. She was the daughter of Elvira “Vera” Luna and Adolfo Garcia Bueno. She was born on Ground Hog’s Day, February 2nd, 1939, in Los Mochis Sinaloa, Mexico.
The oldest of three siblings, Florinda, grew up in Los Angeles, California and was a graduate of Belmont High School in 1958. After a short marriage to Gabriel De La Parra, Florinda went to secretarial school, where she learned shorthand and typing and was given the nickname “Linda” that would follow her throughout her life. In Los Angeles, she worked for Signal Oil and Gas Company and loved to recount her days as a secretary in the 1960s wearing the latest Jackie Kennedy inspired fashions with her amazing flip hairstyle, martini lunches, and matching her fabulous wardrobe to the daily color of her phone system and cigarette holders. As a divorcee, Florinda explored her burgeoning interest in gourmet cooking, her love of Mexican Symphonic records, Elvis Presley, and walking her black cat Topsy on a leash in Hollywood. One rainy morning as Florinda was running late for work, a southern gentleman offered up his taxi, Kenneth Randolph Peak, a native of Louisville, Kentucky. The couple would soon marry on New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas in 1965. The newlyweds moved to the architectural mecca of the mid-west Columbus, Indiana, and had their first child Randy. They lived briefly in Toronto, Canada, and then moved back to Columbus, where Florinda gave birth to her second child Sandy and third child Chris.
In Columbus, Florinda settled into her new life as a wife to Kenneth and dedicated loving mother to her three children. During her time in Columbus, Florinda created a picture-perfect childhood for her three children. She developed her life-long interest in gardening and love of roses, excelled in crafting and gold leafing, became a dedicated Brownie Troop Leader, and enhanced her self-taught culinary prowess. In 1979 the family moved to Dallas, Texas, where Florinda became involved in the PTA, started the first sex education workshops for Aiken Elementary, and was a volunteer at Richardson Junior High and Berkner High School. Florinda earned her real estate license in 1986 from Richland College and was recruited by Ebby Halliday herself to join her as a realtor for the company. Florinda excelled as an agent for Ebby Halliday Realty until she retired in 1994.
In her retirement, she dedicated herself to being a loving grandmother and mother, Spanish translator for Pave-It Asphalt and Concrete, a life-long Democrat, a member of St Patrick’s Catholic Church, a member of The Humane Society of North Texas, and donor to the Paralyzed Veterans of North America. She was a fearless champion for her three children’s dreams and aspirations. Florinda was known for her exuberant laughter, her ability to befriend anyone, her signature scent - Shalimar, her love of classic Hollywood films, martinis and appetizers, her sense of humor, and that unique way one has of lighting up a room.
Florinda was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Kenneth. She is survived by her sister Vera Gomez (Los Angeles), brother Adolph Garcia (Los Angeles); her three children: Kenneth Randolph Peak II his wife Kristi of McKinney, TX, Dr. Sandra Christina Peak her husband Jay of McKinney, TX; Christopher Peak his partner Brian of Chicago, IL; she is also survived by her two much-loved grandchildren Sage Stamper and Clark Peak.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to The Humane Society of North Texas https://hsnt.salsalabs.org/tribute/index.html
A visitation and Rosary will be held on Friday January 10th from 6-8pm at Restland Funeral Home.
Services will be held on Saturday January 11th at 10am in The Wildwood Chapel at Restland
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