Sitting on a scooter in the paseo that’s between Via Decano and Via Corsa in Old Orchard I, 88-year-old resident Linnea Hollowell greeted neighbors with nothing but a beaming smile on her face.
Hollowell has spent years not only pouring water into the paseo plants, but also pouring love into her neighborhood, as well.
Dubbed the “Guardian Angel of the Old Orchard Paseos,” Hollowell was recognized with a bronze plaque — a new, permanent staple of the paseo — to commemorate her efforts in upkeeping it for decades.
Kelley Schranz, and her husband Frank, were among those who helped organize Saturday morning’s festivity.
“We’ve lived here for 47 years. We’ve known her for a long time, and her happy place is to be outside. She loves the area she lives in — she loves it with all of her heart. She has taken it upon herself for the last three decades to be what she calls the ‘Guardian Angel of the Paseo,’ and she’s what makes our paseos as beautiful as they are,” Schranz said. “Being that she’s 88, we decided it’s time to honor her. Her happy place is right here in this little garden. She’s a friend to everybody.”
Not only does Hollowell monitor and use her own hands to ensure the cleanliness of the area, but she also has even donated a table, with benches attached, for children to enjoy the community library.
“If you’re here, you know Linnea. That’s pretty much a certainty. She has worked for decades with the Paseo Committee, with our board of directors, with city of Santa Clarita personnel to work to make the Old Orchard I and II paseos as beautiful and welcoming as they can possibly be,” Frank said to the crowd of neighbors who gathered. “You might know Linnea as the lady who contributed the table and bench from her own money. You might just know her as the lady who smiles and is always ready for a friendly conversation. Linnea is all these things and more, and we are eternally grateful.”
Frank highlighted the plaque that was placed on the paseo’s platform, recognizing Hollowell’s love for her neighbors and neighborhood.
“[She has provided] her loving hands to keep the Old Orchard paseos beautiful to all. Her passion and dedication to our neighborhood is forever appreciated,” Frank said.
Schranz shared her own recent anecdote about Hollowell being active and dedicated with the crowd, despite the recent weather conditions.
“It was raining … When we get home, there’s a package on our front porch from Linnea. So we went in the house and opened it up, and called her to thank her for it. I said, ‘Linnea, you weren’t really out here driving in this pouring rain today, were you?’ She was just cracking up. She said, ‘I had some things I had to get done today,’” Schranz said.
Mayor Pro Tem Laurene Weste, who has been a friend of Hollowell’s for decades, discussed her “remarkable character” before honoring her with a certificate from the city.
“I love Linnea like a family. She’s a lady that’s taught me a great deal. She never gives up. My greatest joy at City Hall is when I get a little envelope and I know there’s a note in it. And that note? Always inspirational, always special, always grateful, always thankful,” Weste said. “She has integrity beyond belief. She has taught me so much over the years about, ‘Just keep going.’ She always says such great, positive and happy things.”
As a resident for 45 years, Hollowell discussed the 30 years of joy she had in working the paseo, and how it will continue to grow for generations to come.
“I’m grateful to have the friendship of so many people in this community. Each morning that I would wake up, I couldn’t wait to get out and greet the people and just see what else needs to be done on this paseo. It was developed in 1967, so it’s close to 60 years of age, and it has matured so beautifully,” Hollowell said. “Thank you so much for this beautiful plaque. It’s good to know that at 88 years of age, we’re all going to go on to an eternal life at a later time, but I’ll be looking down from Heaven. I’m still amongst you all with this beautiful paseo.”
