Linda A. Westra, 79, of Camp Hill, PA, passed Tuesday, April 27, 2021 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Mimi, as she was affectionately known, was born in Montclair, NJ, the only child of the late Raymond Johnson and Margaret (Rusnak) Bissett. She graduated from Clifton High School, Clifton, NJ and Seton Hall University nursing school. Her nursing career took her from the hospital, to the VNA of Harrisburg and onto retirement from Highmark. She is survived by her husband, the love of her life, Charles “Chuck” Westra, son Dr. Kevin Westra of Camp Hill, daughter’s Betsey Smith of Mechanicsburg and Lynelle Westra of Titusville, FL and seven grandchildren, Gregory, Brody, Garrett, Paige, Riley, Caleb and Grace.
Linda and Chuck grew up neighbors, fell in love and were inseparable in marriage for 57 years. As teenagers, they wanted to get jobs but both realized they lacked required social security numbers. Applying together at the social security office resulted in their consecutive social security numbers coupling mom and dad together forever. Linda was so proud of her nursing career and would never let you forget that she graduated in the second nursing class from Seton Hall University. She loved the fun of life, Sunday dinners and a glass of scotch while sitting around the kitchen table with her family. Her infinite devotion to her family, particularly the love of her grandchildren, brought her the greatest joy in life. She cherished her Rusnak family reunion in Harveys Lake, Pennsylvania every summer. She frequently recounted her motto, “You may be taller than me, but you will never be bigger than me,” to her children and most recently her grandchildren. She excelled as a wife, working mother, grandmother, co-worker and friend. She led by example, with dignity, respect and always putting others first. No matter what it was…making Thanksgiving dinner, smiling, raising her family, ironing dads’ shirts, sending her classic confetti filled cards…she always graced everything with the perfect touch.
Please join the Westra family on Sunday, May 16, 2021 at West Shore Country Club, Camp Hill, Pa from 2-4 pm to tell stories about Linda and celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
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