Herlinda "Mama Linda" Olivares of Central Falls, age 90, passed away Sunday, March 7 in RI Hospital Providence RI.
She was born on December 22, 1930 in Corral Falso, Guatemala C.A. to Benjamin Fegeroa and Carmen Ruano. She was the second born child for the couple. Herlinda met her husband Celestino Olivares where they made a home in El Ovegero. They filled that home with four children Roberto Olivares, Aida Hidalgo, Floricelda Sandoval, and Miguel ‘Tito’ Miranda.
After the passing of her husband in 1967, Herlinda made the decision of moving to the United States in 1968. She first arrived in New Britain CT, then lived in Bridgeport CT, Attleboro MA, but eventually settled down in Central Falls RI. Herlinda was always a practicing Catholic and would find Holy Trinity Parish in Central Falls. As the small Spanish speaking community grew so did the services in Spanish. Herlinda was very active with her flourishing parish. She would actively teach C.C.D. to children and adults, she sung in the choir. She went on to help establish the Legion of Mary not only in Spanish, but English speaking as well. Her parish was not where she stopped. She went on to help other parishes establish the Legion of Mary. Herlinda was devoted to enrich everyone with the importance of the Holy Rosary and to always honor our Holy Mother Mary. After the closing of Holy Trinity, she kept her same love and passion with the Holy Spirit Community. She was very involved in the Cambiame a Mi Senor retreats, and was a part of the Franciscan Third Order. St. Francis of Assisi was very near and dear to her heart.
She loved to travel as well. She went on to travel to far off distant lands. She especially loved trips that involved pilgrimages. Her heart always felt rejoice, replenished, and peaceful. Most importantly her love of having her family close was always her greatest joy. Her cooking of traditional Guatemalan quesadillas is what she would love to lure everyone to come see her.
Herlinda is survived by her two brothers, and two sisters; four children; twelve grandchildren and twenty-eight great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.
There will be a mass held on Friday, March 12, 2021 at 9:30 am at Holy Spirit Catholic Community Church, 1030 Dexter Street, Central Falls. A Christian burial will follow at St. Ann Cemetery, 73 Church Street, Cranston, RI.