Linda Diane Vaccarezza

Linda Diane Vaccarezza, age 72, of Hollister, California, passed away on December 10, 2025, at Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto, California.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, January 9, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Mission San Juan Bautista, with Reverend Rudy Ruiz officiating. Burial will follow at San Juan Bautista Cemetery in San Juan Bautista, California. Immediately following the burial, a Celebration of Life will be held at the VFW Hall in San Juan Bautista.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home, 870 San Benito Street, Hollister, California, beginning at 3:00 p.m., with a Rosary at 5:00 p.m., officiated by Mary Clark.

Linda was born on January 20, 1953, in Salinas, California, to Kenneth and Marilyn Vaccarezza. She attended San Benito Joint Union High School, where she graduated at the top of her class in 1971. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from California State University, Fresno, and later completed a master’s degree in Sociology.

Linda worked many jobs in Hollister throughout her life, with her final position at Diageo Winery, where she was honored with Diageo’s “Excellence” Award in 2016.

Linda had a deep love for her community and was actively involved throughout her life. She participated in 4-H until graduating from high school, was a Junior Miss Contest winner, and proudly served as San Juan Rodeo Queen.

She volunteered at the San Benito County Historical Society and was a member of the San Juan Bautista Historical Society. Linda was also an active member of Immaculate Conception Church, where she assisted for many years with the annual barbecue fundraiser and helped count Sunday offerings.

Linda cherished time spent with family, especially traveling. She enjoyed numerous family vacations with her parents and siblings and most recently traveled with her sisters to Tennessee and Kona, Hawaii.

Linda is survived by her sisters Kendra Prosser (Steve) and Sandi Picchetti (Antone); her brothers Don Vaccarezza, Ron Vaccarezza (Bernadette), Steve Vaccarezza (Dana), and Rob Vaccarezza (Audra); and her many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Marilyn Vaccarezza, and her grandparents Charles and Louise Vaccarezza, and Alex and Rose Arceo.

Memorial donations may be made in Linda’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the American Cancer Society.