We meet Sandy and Linda in 1978 at Annunciation Church, and so the story begins thanks to Father Reid and the Young Adults group. We became best friends overnight. We went hiking together, helped with Marriage encounters, pasta dinners at the church, and Sandy introduced me to Longwood Gardens. We were expecting our first child and shared in the joy when they told us they were expecting too. At that point in our lives, we were both looking for a house to buy - mortgages were few and far between with outrages rates. The selection of homes for sale was terrible! Thus hatched the idea of a 2-family house. Dennis and Linda went to look at one together and it was perfect! People thought we were crazy but with God all things are possible, 64 Derwent Ave. turned out to be one of the best periods in our lives. The only problem was that our families were getting too large and there was not enough room with Richard, Katie, Rachel, David and all the plants/trees/ flowers that Sandy like growing. We bought their half and off they moved to Oxford.
A relationship founded with God in the mix cannot end. There were birthdays and holidays to celebrated together, Baptisms, First Communions and Confirmations, Graduations from High School and Colleges, Weddings and grandchildren to enjoy together.
After they moved to Oxford, NJ, we started going on camping vacations together, Cape Hatters' was the best and one evening a terrible thunderstorm came through. Sitting in our cars we watched the lightning and cloud formations pass in awe of their beauty. There was wind, frogs, sand everywhere, light houses to climb and 3-foot-long wood tent steaks to keep the tent from blowing away.
We shared wonderful meals together, not to mention snorkeling in mucky dirty water and surf fishing. There were campfires, watermelon pit spitting contests and so much laughing.
It is almost impossible to think of Linda without thinking of the whole family because she was the heart of it all. She and I did share some quite times together on the staircase on Derwent Ave while the babies were sleeping. There were visits to Lovie's house and weekly grocery shopping trips. Linda organized a baby shower for me, but it was Sandy and Linda who brought me flowers in the hospital and were the first to meet our son, Richard.
Linda touched so many people, she was a perfect role model, wonderful Mothers and wife not to mention friend. We are so thankful for all the wonderful memories and years we were able to share together. I am a better person because of her. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Love,
Aunt Margaret
