Obituaries
Obituary: Linda Ann McFarland, 62, of Hamden
Linda, known as a patient, kind, caring and thoughtful woman, served as Dean of Students of Arts at Rutgers University for many years.
HAMDEN, CT - (From Sisk Brothers Funeral Home) Linda Ann McFarland was 62 years old when she passed away on June 23rd at 12:25 PM in Yale New Haven hospital.
She had grown up in Wallingford before moving to Hamden with her brother and sister, John and Mary Ellen.
Her parents, John R. (Jack)McFarland and Jeanne Guarino McFarland, raised them and worked two jobs to afford the best education they could for their kids.
Her aunt Gloria Cardillo continues the Italian side of their family as she watches over her great nieces and nephews.
Linda leaves behind her three children, Leandro, Oliver and Samantha. Linda was a dedicated mother, fighting for her son Oliver’s education as she navigated his diagnosis of Autism.
She sought out upcoming programs as well as educated him on her own throughout his later years. Her passion for teaching dates back to her days at Rutgers University, where she had her career of Dean of Students of Arts.
She has shared many amazing experiences with her coworkers, including organizing art shows, heading double major programs within the department, and telling bands to get on stage for her students in the Rutgers gym.
After her retirement, she was a stay at home mom in Cheshire, from Dean of Students to a Girl Scout Leader and supporter of last minute school projects.
She was an amazing mother. Linda was diagnosed with breast cancer on September 2nd, 2014. She fought through chemo, blood transfusions and radiation for seven years relentlessly. She always remained positive, even in her last days.
Linda was a patient, kind, caring, and thoughtful woman. She would bring little gifts to her nurses at Yale without a second thought, even when she was in pain herself.
Her presence always brought light to those around her, she will be dearly missed by her friends and family.
In light of the circumstances, in place of flowers we would like to encourage donations to the Breast Cancer Emergency Fund, where 100% of donations go to breast cancer patients to aid in paying their bills.
Their website can be found here: https://bcef.org/.
Her funeral will be taking place at St. Rita’s Church at 10 AM on July 7th.
All friends are encouraged to come, as long as those who are not vaccinated can wear a mask.
Burial in All Saints Cemetery. Sisk Brothers Funeral Home, 3105 Whitney Ave, Hamden is handling the arrangements.
To leave an online condolence please visit www.siskbrothers.com.
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