Linda Maria Esselstein (nee Michelotti)

Linda Maria Michelotti Esselstein, 80, of San Rafael, CA, passed away on September 13th, 2025.

Linda was born on October 10th, 1944, in San Francisco, CA, to Aldo and Blanche Michelotti. She was the second of three daughters, preceded by older sister Barbara Michelotti and followed by younger sister Bette Sutherlin (née Michelotti)

Linda attended St.Emydius Grammar School until 5th grade, when the family moved to San Rafael, after which she attended St. Raphael’s. She was an involved student at Marin Catholic High School, holding the positions of Sophomore Class Treasurer and Senior Class Vice President. She also worked on the school newspaper. Linda formed several life-long friendships at Marin Catholic with a group of girlfriends that called themselves The Rio Nido Nine. After graduating Marin Catholic in 1962, Linda attended the University of California, Berkeley, where she joined Alpha Delta Pi sorority. She graduated in 1966 with a BA in Sociology from the College of Letters and Science. Linda would continue to be a devoted fan of Cal Bears sports for the rest of her life and often attended the annual Big Game between Cal and Stanford.

During college, Linda spent a summer living with girlfriends at her family’s cabin in Lake Tahoe and working at the snack bar at the Crystal Bay Club at the State Line. This is probably where Linda developed another life-long enjoyment: gambling. She enjoyed playing slot machines and was lucky more often than not.

After graduation, Linda took a job as a Buyer at the City of Paris in San Francisco.  With her flip hairdo and Italian-movie star figure, she was often asked to model the latest fashions at work. Linda thoroughly enjoyed working and living the life of a young single gal in the city during the 1960’s.     

A few years after college, during a winter trip to Tahoe with her friend Denni Bradley and cousin Doreen Puccinelli, Linda was introduced to William Esselstein, then a law student at UC Hastings. They fell in love and were married in 1969. Bill’s five-year-old daughter, Lynne, from his first marriage, was a flower girl in their wedding. (Several years later, Linda legally adopted Lynne.). Second daughter Lisa was born in 1972. Bill and Linda celebrated their 50th Anniversary in 2019 and were married 56 years.

After settling in Menlo Park, CA, Linda began working for Casella Lighting before opening her own lighting design business, where she oversaw interior lighting design and installation in high-end residential and commercial properties. Her hobbies included painting and photography, and many of her framed pieces decorated Linda and Bill’s home. 

In 2000, Linda and Bill moved to Healdsburg, CA, where they became partners with Lynne and her husband Jon in a vineyard and winery in Alexander Valley. Linda managed finances for the family business and enjoyed hosting friends and family at the property. She and Bill immediately met and befriended many new neighbors and became actively involved in the community. After 16 years in the wine country, Linda and Bill moved to Reno, NV, to be close to Linda’s sister and brother-in-law, Bette and Mark Sutherlin. They enjoyed life in the high desert for 6 years until returning to Northern California in 2022.

Throughout her life, Linda found enjoyment in games of all kinds. In addition to the aforementioned casino games, Linda enjoyed board and card games like Tripoley, Hearts, and Rummy. On Tuesdays, she played Mahjong with her sister Bette and two friends, and the rest of the week played Solitaire, Sudoku, puzzles, and computer games on her iPad. She was a lifelong San Francisco Giants “Gamer Babe”, a 49er Faithful, and Warriors fan. In her younger years, she was an avid golfer and tennis player.

Born into a large Italian family, Linda was happiest being with “her people.” She and her sisters were raised closely with their cousins, and the tightknit Puccinelli clan initiated yearly gatherings,including the Family Picnic each summer and the Mother/Daughter Luncheon each winter.  Conversant in Italian, Linda made many trips to Italy, visiting family, traveling widely, and collecting ceramiche.  Her love of these family traditions and connections ensured that her children and grandchildren inherited her affection for La Famiglia and all things Italian. 

Linda is preceded in death by her husband, William D. Esselstein; her sister, Barbara Michelotti; and her parents, Aldo and Blanche Michelotti. She is survived by her daughters, Lynne & Lisa; her son-in-law, Jon Joseph; her granddaughters, Rose Joseph and Caroline Joseph; her sister and brother-in-law, Bette & Mark Sutherlin; and her niece, nephew, and their children, Andrea, Scott, Cohen & Bradley Worl.

Friends and family will gather for a celebration of life in Linda’s honor on Sunday, October 12th from 11:30am – 3pm at Lynne Esselstein & Jon Joseph’s home in Hillsborough, CA. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Linda’s memory to the Humane Society of Sonoma County, 5345 Highway 12 West, Santa Rosa, CA  95407, or online here.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Linda Maria Esselstein (nee Michelotti), please visit our floral store.