photo from Saurabh Dani
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, long time resident Linda McNamara passed away over the weekend :
Ridgewood NJ, Linda Leigh McNamara, nee Bareford, the loving wife of Frank McNamara, and mother of Thomas, Andrew, Katherine, and Margaret McNamara quietly passed away at her home in Ridgewood, New Jersey.
Linda was born on May 2,1946 at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey to Harold and Lois Bareford. She was raised in Carle Place, New York and attended Carle Place High, graduating in 1964 winning superlatives such as best smile and best personality. She received her bachelor of science degree from Suny Cortland, class of 1968. She and Frank married in 1973 and moved to Ridgewood, New Jersey in 1977.
Linda devoted her life to service. Nobody, not a person or animal who was in need, was a stranger to her. She was an educator, an activist and a humanitarian. For over forty years she involved herself in Ridgewood’s civic life and issues, from special education to local green spaces, town sport fields and handicap access. She didn’t always win, but she was always willing to fight; ultimately always making a difference. She stood with the Angles in this world, and she is standing shoulder to shoulder with them now. She will be sorely missed by all who were fortunate enough to know her. We love you and thank you Linda.
Linda is survived by her husband Frank, her children Thomas, Andrew, Katherine and Margaret and her brother Richard Bareford.
Linda will be laid to rest at 11AM at Maryrest Cemetery, 770 Darlington Road Mahwah New Jersey
Linda brought a smile to all those around her. Passionate in all that she did as well as kind hearted and loving. She was a one person cheering section at our daughters soccer games. She made Ridgewood a kinder place to be, often when people were at odds. We have all been blessed to have Linda in our lives.
Tom Riche
Linda set the bar so high. May we all aspire to be like Linda!
May the fondest of memories help all of us commemorate Linda’s life and overtime, bring healing to our hearts. Her smile and enthusiasm truly will be missed. Rest in peace, dear Linda.
May the fondest of memories help all of us commemorate her life and overtime, bring healing to our hearts. Her smile and enthusiasm truly will be missed. Rest in peace, dear Linda.
My sincerest condolences to the McNamara’s during this most difficult time. I will never forget Linda as one of the most active parents and kind people in the Ridgewood community growing up. Thank you for all the memories.
So sorry to the family for your lost. My precious Linda was so precious and welcoming to my family so down to earth and was so loving to us all especially my son Omar. As a matter of fact the whole family was very welcoming to us. Miss Mac as I so lovingly called her was so dedicated to her family a devoted wife and mother. You were indeed one of a kind miss Mac. My sincerest condolence to the family.
Linda had a beautiful soul. She radiated kindness and caring.
I met Linda in college and knew almost immediately what a one-of-a-kind person she was. There never has been ~ nor will there ever be ~ anyone quite as kind, loving, giving, fun, brilliant, self-deprecating, honest, sincere, etc., etc., etc. in this world. It has been almost a year now and I still cannot accept that she is gone. Her laugh was contagious, her smile infectious, her demeanor inclusive, and her heart bursting with love for all she knew! I had moved to San Francisco around that time, but we kept in touch for all these years. Whenever we did get to see each other, it was as if we had just seen each other the day before!! I miss her more and more now and will forever!