Linda A. Westerman

Linda A. Westerman, 70, of Toms River passed away on Tuesday, November 30, 2021. 

She was raised in Clark, NJ, graduating from Arthur L. Johnson Regional High School in 1969.  She married her husband, John Westerman, in 1986, before moving down the shore to Bayville to raise her own family. 

She was a Health Information Specialist working in the Medical Records department at John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Edison, NJ for 32 years before retiring in 2012. 

Linda was a loving mother, grandma, and friend.  She was a kind soul who could bring joy with her laughter and smile.  Linda was a hard-working and dedicated provider for her family.  She always put her family first, and did whatever she needed to do to take care of them.  She commuted over an hour each way to Edison, and for several years she would also rise before the sun and deliver newspapers for the Asbury Park Press before heading off to her full time job.  After her retirement, she worked part time at the ShopRite in Bayville as a cashier.  She was a dependable employee and quickly became relied upon to cover anyone’s shift, or pick up any additional hours if needed.  Even with all of that, she always had time to spend with her family.    

She was an avid animal lover, and especially loved her cats.  She grew up in a home surrounded by pets, and this is a love and passion she has certainly passed down to her own daughter, and granddaughter, in turn.    In her spare time she loved to sew and craft.  She took joy in making beautiful bridesmaid dresses for her friends’ weddings, and always was up to the challenge of making her daughter’s Halloween costume each year when she was growing up.

Linda is a beloved mother who will be dearly missed.  She always had time to spend with her daughter, and created countless childhood memories that her daughter looks back on fondly.  Enjoying the summers out on Barnegat Bay on the family boat, fishing and crabbing off of the dock in the backyard, kayaking down Cedar Creek, and riding all of the roller coasters at Six Flags Great Adventure, to name only a few.  Linda was also a devoted and doting grandma to her beloved granddaughter.  She loved spending time with her granddaughter; reading her stories, playing at the park, and watching her learn and grow.   

She is survived by: her daughter, Jaclyn Strawder and her husband, Edward.  Her beloved granddaughter, Adeline Marie.  Her siblings: Delores DiFabio, and her husband, Vernon; John Spielmann; James Spielmann and his wife, Kathy; and Marlene Hupp, and her husband, Bruce.  Her sisters-in-law, Georgiana Young, and Lisa Fresco, and brother-in-law James Westerman.  She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. 

Linda is predeceased by her husband, John.  Her parents, John and Marie Spielmann.  Her mother and father-in-law William and Lisa Westerman, and brother-in-law, Michael Westerman. 

Family and friends are invited to attend her visitation on Monday, December 6th, 2021 from 2-4pm and 7-9pm at the Mastapeter Memorial Home, 270 Atlantic City Blvd, Bayville, NJ.  Funeral to be held on Tuesday, December 7th, 2021 at 9:30am at Mastapeter Memorial Home, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at St. Barnabas Roman Catholic Church in Bayville at 11am, and entombment will follow at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Toms River. 

Donations in Linda’s memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org, or to the Ocean County Animal Facility (615 Freemont Ave, Jackson NJ 08527).   

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