Linda Fasciani

Born in Brooklyn on February 4, 1951 and raised in Greenwich Village by Lou and Marge Messina, she was a true New Yorker at heart.

As a student at Cathedral High School, Linda was studious - earning numerous awards for perfect attendance and knowledge of religion. Volunteering as a candy striper at St. Vincent’s Hospital lit the spark in her to pursue a career in nursing. At Roosevelt Hospital School of Nursing, she learned invaluable lessons in meeting patient needs through knowledge, skill, and compassion. Linda pursued her bachelor’s degree from Pace University where she met the love of her life - Jim. He asked her to slow dance at the Cranberry Crush and afterwards, she hastily jotted down his number on a napkin. Four years later, the two were happily married at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Greenwich Village. Linda proudly earned her master’s degree in nursing from Wagner College after years of hard work and long hours. Regardless of educational and career demands, Linda’s top priority was to start a family, and she was overjoyed with the arrival of her son, Joel, and daughter, Lauren (the shining stars of her life). After working in coronary care, intensive care, and emergency room departments, she came to the realization that she wanted to specialize in pediatrics - reflecting her devotion to caring for children.

Linda and Jim decided to make the big jump and leave New York for scenic Lake Mohawk in Sparta, New Jersey. She continued to develop her career with a shift towards nursing education. Linda earned the honor of becoming a tenured associate professor with the County College of Morris. She also took pride in becoming a contributing author of clinical nursing textbooks. Linda especially loved her role as a clinical instructor in the Nursing Education Department at Saint Barnabas Medical Center. She was honored to travel nationally and internationally to Geneva, Switzerland to present at healthcare conferences associated with the World Health Organization. After 44 years of working, Linda was ready to transition from work to play.

In retirement at Leisure Village West, Linda looked forward to spending summer days with friends at the pool and competing in Rummikub, Bocce Club, and table top shuffleboard throughout the year. As an animal lover and admirer of natural wildlife, she enjoyed participating in Nature Club and especially loved the fun found at the annual Pet Parade. She enjoyed participating in ORT and Caritas, designed to empower people and support communities. Most importantly, Linda was grateful for the meaningful friendships that she developed within the Leisure Village West community. After years of researching national parks and accumulated brochures of places to visit on her bucket list, retirement allowed Linda and Jim to visit many national parks, fulfilling their lifelong dream. As an avid reader, there was never a time when Linda didn’t have a book in her hands. Her love of reading helps to explain why she was so hard to beat at a game of Scrabble or Jeopardy. A treasured moment (if you were lucky enough to catch it) was hearing her sing one of her favorite songs. However, food was the gift that she lovingly shared with friends and family. She would find out your favorite meal and happily spend all day making it just for you.

After 48 years of marriage, Linda will be tenderly missed by her husband Jim (who she lovingly referred to as her “one in a million”). She knew she could rely on him for laughter and playfulness to balance her sometimes no-nonsense disposition. They were a great team, complimenting each other’s personality, and intuitively knowing how to meet each other’s needs. As a mother, Linda’s love for her children was endless. Nothing was more important than ensuring her children’s happiness and well-being. What they will remember will be a string of doting moments (both big and seemingly so small) that accumulate to who she was as a mother - attentive, thoughtful, supportive, kind, and forgiving.

Linda will be lovingly missed by Guy Fasciani (father-in-law); Joan and Rory O’Connor, Joyce and Dennis Maffettone, John and Jaime Fasciani (sister-and brother-in-laws); Brian O’Connor, Nicole, August, and Patrick Johnson, Michelle Grogan (nephews and nieces); Yoko Yamamoto (daughter-in-law), and AJ Ferrer (who has become a part of the family). Equally important to Linda were her cousins and close friends. She appreciated all those who were there by her side and assisted her in times of need.

These words could never capture the enormous spirit of Linda. Her fierce bravery and humbleness in the face of daunting challenges resonated with many who knew Linda not to complain, but understood her vulnerability. Her irreplaceable absence can only be offset by the incredibly fond memories that friends and family hold dear to their hearts.

The following services for Linda are as follows: Cremation was held privately. A visitation with the family will be held on Friday, March 26th, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. with a religious ceremony at 5:30 p.m. at the Anderson and Campbell Funeral Home, 3010 Ridgeway Rd., Manchester, NJ. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, March 27th at 12 noon at the Saint Maximilian-Kolbe Roman Catholic Church, 130 St. Maximilian Ln, Toms River, NJ 08757. A reminder that all visitors to the funeral home and church are required to wear a facial covering and adhere to social distancing guidelines.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting that a donation be made in memory of Linda to any of the following charitable organizations:

St. Joseph’s Indian School,

PO Box 100,

Chamberlain, SD 57325-

www.stjo.org/flowers

Organization for Educational Resources and Technological Training (ORT),

(Payable to) ORT ℅ Elaine Baron,

39B Sterling St., Manchester, NJ 08759

Sierra Club,

Attn: Membership Dept.,

PO Box 7059,

Merrifield, VA 22116-7059-

www.sierraclub.org/ways-to-give

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