Linda Diane Kallas

Linda Diane Kallas, 75, was born February 25th, 1950. She passed away on February 18th, 2026. From Rio Rico, AZ where she lived for 26 years. Linda was born in Pennsylvania. She went to school for nursing, where she became an RN. Working mostly in Labor and Delivery, as well as the nursery. She worked at Holy Cross in Nogales, AZ. For several years she worked at Children’s Hospital in Denver CO, where she received the “Nurse of the year” award.Linda was a plant and cat lover, she enjoyed making jewelry and gardening, growing all sorts of exotic plants. She loved traveling to San Carlos, Mexico where she traveled often. Linda loved sitting on her back porch with a glass of wine or coffee, enjoying the sunset or sunrise. Linda was married to Ken Kallas, they were married for over 45 years. Ken Kallas passed away shortly before her, on December 30th, 2025. Linda was predeceased by her sister Karen (Leech) Gayton Baxter, her mother Shirley E. Leech, and her father Donald D. Leech. Linda was survived by her daughter Kristen L. Emery (56) husband Glenn Emery, granddaughter Katelyn Rose Jahn (34) boyfriend Gavin Lee, grandsons Chase and Gage Emery, great grandchildren Bentley and Zoey Levine, nephew Andrew Gayton, his sons Luke and Hunter, niece Sara Gayton, her daughter Emma Brown. She was especially close with her cousins Margaret Taylor, Gregory Leech, and Patrice Leech. Her close friends of over 25 years, Janis Brinkman, Irving Brinkman, Candice LaMar, Dave Chichester, Dennis Whisker, Patricia Whisker, Marleen Marlin, Miles Marlin, and Veronica Marlin. Linda was an amazing mother, grandmother, and friend. She will be deeply missed by everyone.