Linda Marie Bonardi Dorsi, age 78 years, of Pittstown, NJ, and Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL, died peacefully on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at Holy Cross Hospital, Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

Born on April 7, 1945, Linda was raised in the close-knit community of Ridgefield, NJ. She grew up surrounded by the love and joy of close family and friends, including her two older brothers, Bob and Bill. Inspired by her exceptionally strong and independent mother, Helen Hespos Bonardi, her hardworking father, Dino, and the city lights in the distance, after high school she went to secretarial school, then worked in New York’s Chrysler Building during the 1960’s.

Her fun-loving spirit and adventurous ways led her to take a girls’ trip on a cruise to the Caribbean in early 1969. It was on this fateful trip where she would meet the love of her life, Albert, who also was traveling with friends.

After six short months of courtship, the pair were married on November 30, 1969, and she left her life in the big city to move out to the country lifestyle in Pittstown, Hunterdon County, NJ. It was there where she and Al would begin to plant deep roots that they still nurture to this day.

Their steadfast love grew through shared experience and lots of fun times. Linda and Al traveled the world, but preferred their warm home where everyone was welcomed and gathered often. They built a successful business together where she, as always, was the quiet backbone that made things successful. Their marriage was cemented in life’s challenges and ratified by the “yearly contract” which was successfully renewed each year for the past fifty-four years.

Blessed with two daughters, Donna and Debbie, as well as numerous other “kids” who made the Dorsi home their own, Linda instilled in her daughters and everyone she met, that a community was only as good as those who lived there. It is with this in mind that saying Linda volunteered in the community is a complete understatement. Her varied activities included serving as a troop leader of her daughters’ Girls Scouts, being extremely active in the Franklin Township School PTA, and serving as a member of the Quakertown Fire Company’s Ladies Auxiliary. Additionally, Linda organized countless rollerskating parties, Sunday Breakfasts, Big Dinners, parades, and other fundraisers. Some of her longest and dearest friendships were made as she served her neighbors.

It was during this time in Pittstown where Linda received the greatest title of her life, besides “Mom”, and that of course is when she became a “Gummy” to her four grandchildren-Jake, Johnny, Samantha, and Luca- who were the true spark in her eyes. She was there for them in all ways and was proud to proclaim to everyone that they were her grandchildren. Watching them grow up to become all that each of them are, was something Linda considered to be her finest accomplishment. Additionally, Linda earned the title of, “Best Babysitter”, a job which she did for many years, and which allowed her to help countless generations in and around Hunterdon County.

Retirement and her lifelong love of sunshine brought her to Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL, several years ago. Not one to take a break, she continued her high level of civic engagement as a pillar of the Leisure Gardens community where she and Al resided. Her kind smile welcomed each of her neighbors—whether by organizing potlucks or game nights, or just having a chat by the pool, Linda was always present for everyone.

After a very brief battle with pancreatic cancer, Linda would not want those reading this be sad, but rather to love just a bit harder and to live life with respect and compassion in all that they do. She would want those reading this to remember that the love of family has no boundaries. That there are no “in-laws” or “friends” …everyone is family. That sharing what you have with others is important, whether it is an ear to listen, or putting “another leaf in the table” to welcome more people to a meal. That this world simply needs more kindness. To live with these grounding ideals in our words and actions, is how we honor Linda’s life and legacy.

Surviving is her husband, Albert; her two daughters and sons-in-law, Donna and Daniel Snyder and Debbie and Gianfranco Voria; her grandchildren, Jake Snyder, Johnny Voria, Samantha Snyder, and Luca Voria; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family whom she loved fiercely; and the many friends made wherever the path of life took she and Al through the years.

Family and friends are invited to gather to celebrate Linda’s life and legacy on Saturday, March 2, 2024, from 2:00-5:00 p.m., at Quakertown Fire Co., 67 Quakertown Road, Pittstown, NJ 08867.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

You are encouraged to visit Linda’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of her life.

In lieu of flowers, please do an act of kindness in Linda’s name and/or make a contribution to the charity of your choice. Kindly let the family know of your generous acts so they can properly thank you for keeping Linda’s legacy alive.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

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