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Seniors in Action - Ed and Linda MimiagaAction - Ed and Linda Mimiaga
Seniors in
Seniors in Action - Ed and Linda Mimiaga
Seniors in
Seniors in Action - Ed and Linda MimiagaAction - Ed and Linda Mimiaga
By Marilee Marrero Stefenhagen was trained by the Archdiocese to
decorate the church in a manner that
During February, we introduce you to a complemented the liturgy. Now, we
couple who will celebrate 46 years of worship outside under social distancing
marriage on May 17, 2021. Linda, age 68, guidelines, and I record the collection
and Ed Mimiaga, age 74, shared smiles as monies after Mass.”
they said, “A church fiesta brought us Ed: “I served as Chair of the Fiesta
together, and church kept us together, in more fundraising committee for too many
ways than one.” years to count. I finally retired in 2019,
just in time for the next year’s
Question: Where did you grow up? committee to be saved by the COVID-19
Ed: “I was born and raised in southern pandemic from doing any work! Fiesta
California. Most of my youth was spent was cancelled in 2020.”
in Compton, then moved to Downey. I Question: Do you like to exercise,
attended college, but was drafted into the garden, or travel?
U.S. Army and sent to Vietnam in 1968 Linda: “Certainly not exercise, except
during the Tet Offensive. I was one of the for occasional walks. Our exercise used
lucky GIs who came home in one piece. I to be running around with our
was a draftsman and worked in aerospace. grandkids Renee and Evan before the
It was easy to find an aeronautics job in pandemic. Coronavirus has caused us to
southern California, but I was eventually hunker down. When our kids were
laid off. I decided to go back to school. I young, we took camping trips in a Photo left to right: Ed with grandson Evan, Linda with granddaughter Renee
worked in State Government as a peace small tent trailer, exploring California
officer for 29 years. I still work part- and Oregon. After Ed retired, we
time.” bought a 5 wheel and traveled across
th
Linda: “I was born in Boston. People the USA to 38 different states.”
sometimes catch my accent. They’ll laugh Ed: “We also visited Ireland where we
and say, “You said ‘cah’ instead of car.” My saw every shade of green imaginable.
mother and stepdad moved the family to We found the Irish people very friendly
California when I was 13. We lived in and helpful. A favorite trip was a group
Upland, Rialto, and Chino. I met Ed at his tour to Israel and Jordan to visit the
sister’s church in Chino at the fundraising Holy Land”
fiesta. We hit it off right away.”
Ed: “My sister begged me to work her Question: Will you share your secrets
church’s fiesta in August 1974. She claims for a long and happy marriage?
it was not planned, but I found myself Ed: “I say YES as often as I can.”
assigned to a booth with 3 single women. Linda: “Communication,
Linda and I clicked naturally, and started communication, communication! The
dating. I gave her a ring at Christmas bond between us was strong enough to
when I was 28. Our priest told me ‘You last through the best times and the
can slow down a little,’ but I was ready to tough times. My mom was married
settle down. “ four times and I was determined when I
Linda: “I’m six years younger than Ed met Ed that our marriage would be rock
but we discussed marriage before our solid.”
engagement in December 1974, got Ed: “We spent our 13 wedding
th
married in May 1975, moved to Downey, anniversary at a MARRIAGE Photo left to right: Ed and Linda Mimiaga
and were expecting a baby by the first ENCOUNTER weekend sponsored by
anniversary of that fateful fiesta. All three the Catholic Church. That seminar
of our children were born in the month of enlightened me with tools to make our
March: Christina in March 1976, Elizabeth relationship stronger. It was an
in March 1977, and Stephen in March exhausting weekend, but we use those
1979.” strategies constantly to keep our
marriage strong.”
Question: Please tell NBY readers about
your volunteer activities.
Linda: “Our children attended St. John
of God Catholic School, and I wanted to
be involved in their classrooms. Before I
knew it, my phone number was on speed
dial at the church, and I spent more time
helping. After our kids graduated, I
chaired the Environment committee. I

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