Linda Jean Menken, 81, of Oxnard, passed away on July 20th, 2023. Linda was born in Hollister, CA to Roger Alan Graves and Doris (Jean) Graves on June 16, 1942. She graduated from Watsonville High in 1960. She went on to Cabrillo Jr. College in Santa Cruz, achieving an A/A degree, and attended UC Berkeley. Linda met the love of her life, Richard, in San Jose and moved to Oxnard to begin her family and her 51 years as an Oxnard resident. After having her 3 children, she worked for 10 years at MWR-Arts and Crafts on the Port Hueneme Seabee Base, where she enjoyed her love of all things crafty. She then began a 20-year career with the Ventura County Courts from 1985 to 2005.
She enjoyed and was active in all kinds of crafts, sewing, knitting, pottery, ceramics, painting, macramé, and especially counted cross-stitch. She and Richard were active volunteers for over 30 years in the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO), both at the local and national level. Linda made many dear friends and watched generations of local soccer families grow up. Linda and Richard discovered their love for cruising and were regulars on the Holland America line, traveling all over the world on their adventures.
She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Richard Earl Menken, children Jennifer (Rice) and husband Patrick Smith, Diana (Duarte) and husband Jorge Duarte and Richard Paul Menken, grandchildren Nolan and Allison (Rice) and Nathan and Justin (Duarte), her sister Anne (Riley), brother-in-law Tim and nephews Kevin, his wife Mang, great-niece Hannah and Brett (Riley) and his wife Melissa and grandnephew, Brett.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org). The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Aegis Living Ventura, who helped provide the needed care and love to Linda in her battle with dementia. A Celebration of Life will be held at the BOYKO & REARDON TELEGRAPH ROAD MORTUARY & CREMATION SERVICE at 15 Teloma Drive, Ventura 93003 on August 8th from 5-8 with the service starting at 6pm. A private burial will be held privately later in the week for the immediate family. Arrangements are under the direction of BOYKO & REARDON TELEGRAPH ROAD MORTUARY & CREMATION SERVICE.