Linda Arietta

Linda ( Gandrup) Arietta, a longtime resident of Watsonville, CA passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 24, 2013. She was 67.

Linda lost her battle with brain and colon cancer having fought it for two years.
She was known for her beauty, style, design, and grace. As a child she would spend time in the mountains reading poetry and petting her kitty, and inspired
by gourmet cooking from Aunt Myrtle who lived with the family and her love of flowers from her Mother. She got her degree in Interior Design at San Francisco Catholic College for Women. When she returned to Watsonville she married John Moncovich and along came Sean and Lara. Later she was married to Wm Arietta.

She started her own farmers market business selling berries and later began Country Essences Flowers, thus the wedding floral design work which expanded to great proportions. She was featured in Sunset Magazine numerous times.
She was interviewed and broadcasted on Home and Garden Network, participated in the Carmel Womens Club Summit League, participated in
Boquet to Arts at the DeYoung Musuem in San Francisco and was the primary
Florist for Tanimura and Antle in Salinas. At one time she had a floral shop in Capitola Village and later moved the shop to Los Gatos.

Linda is survived by daughter Lara Smith, son Sean Moncovich, sister Marion Lyng, brother Jim Gandrup, and her grandchildren; Jeremy, Rochelle, Acacia, and Hunter Smith

Her legacy, Country Essences Flowers, is being continued by her children Sean and Lara farming the ranch, farmers market, wedding and floral work.

Friends are invited to attend a "Celebration of Life" at Linda's home and ranch at 309 Peckham Road, Watsonville on Thursday Oct 3 at 3:00PM. Please wear white or beautiful colors... no blacki�� per Linda's request.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of Monterey County, The Salinas Chapter; 45 Plaza Circle, Salinas CA
Arrangements have been entrusted in the care of The Carroll Family of Ave Maria Memorial Chapel, Watsonville.