Hospital from complications due to Parkinson's Disease. Linda was born Linda Catherine Jones
on October 27, 1949 in Lock Haven, PA to Pauline (Gray) Jones and Royal A. Jones, Jr.; Linda
was the oldest of six children. Linda graduated from Greely High School in Cumberland, ME
where the Jones Family lived for many years. Linda also attended Colby College and it was in
her collegiate years that she was introduced to her former husband David Rust. Linda is
predeceased by her father and mother, sister Karen Horton and brother Jonathan Jones. She is
survived by her daughter Jennifer P. Rust, her son Mathew D. Rust and Matthew’s partner
Allison Faucher, her partner of 20 years Russell (Ook) Stepney, her brother Royal A Jones III
(Breezy) and his wife Judith Jones, her sisters Cynthia M Jones and Paula E Jones, and several
cousins, nieces, and nephews.
For over 15 years, Linda was a smiling face at Cranberry Liquors in Harwichport welcoming
patrons as if they were entering her home. She loved her job and interacting with the people,
keeping on as long as she could as her disease progressed. She worked side by side with her
son Matthew for most of those years and they shared many fun times and lots of laughs with
each other and their customers and vendors.
Linda was a loving woman with a generous heart who opened her home to family and friends for
fun summer cookouts and holidays. She was the cool mom that was always agreeable about
sleepovers, crowds of teenagers taking over her living room and den, or late night calls from
friends in need. You always knew you could talk to "Mama Rust" and get sound advice without
judgement and her patience and listening skills rivaled that of the best therapists.
Linda had a hearty, genuine laugh that would make you smile. She was kind, really kind, never
wanting to hurt anyone or anything and in doing so she reminded you to be compassionate and
understanding of others.
Linda loved music! Especially Rock and Roll. She adored the music of Bruce Springsteen, Bob
Seger, Eric Clapton, and Tom Petty and one of her very favorite songs was “El Paso” by Marty
Robbins. Linda loved to move. In the ‘70s it was Jack Lalane, in the ‘80s it was Jazzercize, and
at any family party or event she would be out on the dance floor with her kids, friends, and
family smiling, dancing, and singing along.
Linda loved to watch the Celtics and she could always keep up with the sports talk and stats
with her son, nephews, and brothers.
Crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles were pastimes Linda enjoyed and she loved to watch
game shows like Wheel of Fortune , Jeopardy , and old Match Game episodes. She loved
classic comedy movies like Caddyshack and The Blues Brothers and she loved The Three
Stooges.
On weekends, Linda enjoyed going out thrift store shopping and to lunch with her daughter and
sisters. She also loved going to visit her son Matthew, his partner Allison, and their Pomeranian
dog, Foxy.
Our worlds will be a little less bright for a while, but we try to take comfort in knowing that Linda
is free from the body that no longer allowed her to move with ease and we know she is now
dancing and in the warm embrace of those that passed before her.
A private graveside service will be held initially for immediate family members. When gathering
in larger groups is permitted, a celebration of Linda’s life will be scheduled. Those who would
like to honor Linda Rust's memory may please donate to the Parkinson's Foundation
( www.parkinson.org ). Messages and memories may be shared with Linda’s family at
www.doanebealamesharwich.com
