Linda J. Szipszky

Szipszky, Linda J. (83) of Middletown and Little Silver, N.J. passed away peacefully on September 18,
2020. She was born in Jersey City, N.J. to the late Herbert and Rita Jacobsen. She was predeceased by
her sister, Elisabeth Gombka.
Mom’s friends have been sharing how devoted she was to maintaining the blessing of friendships;
including from our days on Prospect Avenue in Little Silver, getting her birthday group organized for
annual celebrations, Caldwell College (now Caldwell University) Alumnae, multi-decade membership in
the Monmouth Civic Chorus (including with her daughter, Pat, for a number of years) and the choir at
the RC Church of the Nativity, Fair Haven, and most recently the choir at St Anthony’s of Padua in Red
Bank.
Linda’s diverse group of friends included people from around the world. Cunard Cruise Lines has lost a
very devoted customer. Linda’s travels stretched from the Arctic Circle with our family in 1979 to the
South Pole with, shall we say, a lot of coverage East and West. Imagine the scene on the Queen Mary 2
while docked in Singapore: Mom stylish, grandchildren Jack and Michael (both under age 4) coming
aboard for tea, tossing those little sandwiches around, occasionally finding a mouth.
Mom first crossed the Atlantic by sea in 1959, destination Norway, leading to lifelong friendships with
third cousins, the Vadholm family. No beach traffic going from Oslo to Hvaler - just a ferry to enjoy a
few days of sunshine. Mom was cruising at sea as recently as January 2020.
Linda earned an undergraduate degree from then Caldwell College and later a MBA from Monmouth
College, now Monmouth University. She had a successful career as a procurement specialist at Fort
Monmouth and then as a Technical Customer Support Manager for AT&T working in NYC and
throughout NJ. A young woman executive in her group at AT&T later ran for President of the United
States. Mom’s career fed her travel appetite quite well. Plan a trip - take a trip - follow up with family
and friends -- repeat the cycle and make choir rehearsal as much as possible.
Linda was a regular substitute teacher in Little Silver Schools while her three children were young. Mom
certainly knew how to keep control of a classroom.
“Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are,” says the note on Linda’s fridge.
She was an avid reader her entire life. And finally, into her 80s Linda would drive to the only sporting
events that ever made her calendar ----- those with grandchild involvement in addition to travelling to
any country or state for their musicals, dance recitals and concerts.
Linda is survived by her three children, Patricia Faraldi ( Joseph M. ) of Barnegat, NJ, Robert J. ( Patricia
D.) of Newtown Square, PA and James A. ( Diannne ) of Houston, TX; a brother, John ( Susan ); a sister,
Anne Hampson; nine grandchildren, Kara, Christopher, Michael, Claire, Jack, Maggie, Brian, Paige and
Natasha and an especially dear friend, Robert Kernish.
There will be a visitation on Friday October 2, 2020 from 3:00 to 6:00 PM at the John E. Day Funeral
Home 85 Riverside Ave. Red Bank, N.J. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday October 3,
2020, 1PM at St. Anthony of Padua R. C. Church in Red Bank. Entombment to follow at St. Gabriel’s
Mausoleum in Marlboro. The mass and entombment are limited to family members due to Covid-19
capacity induced constraints. However, a live stream of the mass will be available at
https://web.stanthonysofredbank.net/ .
In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to the Monmouth Civic Chorus
( https://monmouthcivicchorus.org/public/ways-to-give/ ) or St. Anthony’s Church in Red Bank, Attention
Choir Director, Shawn Mack ( https://web.stanthonysofredbank.net/ ).
Tusen Takk - Norwegian for a thousand thank yous - a frequently used expression by Mom - for your
prayers and support. God Bless.
 

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