Linda Hart Wagstaff

Linda Hart Wagstaff, 66, of Chesterfield, passed away on August 31, 2019. Linda is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Vernelle Hart. She is survived by her daughter, Stephanie Tara Wagstaff; two sisters, Patsy Hart and Robin Taylor; two nieces, Alex Barker (Rob) and Brooke McGinnis (Matt); one nephew, Christopher Hatcher; and two great-nieces, Hollowell and Mabel Gray Barker. Linda was born in Richmond, VA on November 7, 1952. She graduated from Manchester High School and received a B.A. degree from the College of William & Mary, where she majored in Classical Studies and was an active member of the Orchesis Modern Dance Company. Linda worked as a Latin teacher for forty-five years for Chesterfield County Public Schools and touched the lives of many students, parents, and colleagues. After spending five years at Robious Middle School, Linda moved to Monacan High School when it opened. Over the next forty years, Linda impacted every aspect of the school. From teaching Latin I – AP and sponsoring an active Latin Club to collecting recycling items and selling tickets at various sporting events, Linda served her school non-stop. Linda loved sponsoring the Key Club and working with the Kiwanis Club of Midlothian-Chesterfield. And, for her incredible career at Monacan, Linda was named Teacher of the Year last spring. Professionally, Linda was a lifetime member of the Classical Association of Virginia (CAV) where she served as Tournament Registrar for many years and received the Angela P. Lloyd Book Award in 2012. Linda was a founding member of the Central Virginia Latin Teachers Association (CVLTA), and she was always very active in the Virginia Junior Classical League (VJCL) and served as its co-chair for a number of years. The National Junior Classical League (NJCL) honored Linda with the Ed Phinney Book Award for service in 1998, and she received her twenty year bowl for attendance in 2002. Linda started taking students to Italy in 1975 and continued to do so throughout her career. In addition to these Latin organizations, Linda was initiated into the Gamma Gamma Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma International, an honorary for women educators, in 1984 and recently served as its 1st Vice President. Over the years, Linda devoted much time to the Chesterfield Education Association as her school’s representative. She was an outstanding advocate for teachers and never missed an opportunity to showcase the importance of a teacher’s role in a child’s life. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 15, 2019, at Woody Funeral Home Huguenot Chapel, 1020 Huguenot Rd., Midlothian, VA 23113. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, a scholarship has been established in her memory. Contributions may be made to the Linda H. Wagstaff Scholarship, First Community Bank, 11400 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23235. Please make checks payable to Linda H. Wagstaff Scholarship.