Linda Benoski VanNorde

Linda Diane Benoski VanNorde, age 67, of Highland Lakes, NJ  passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 4, 2021 after a courageous battle with cancer and while receiving the loving care of her family.

Linda was born in Paterson, raised in Wayne, and was the daughter of Peter and Cornelia VanNorde.  Linda then attended York Highschool in Maine and graduated from Wayne Valley High School with the class of 1971.  Following her graduation from high school, Linda attended the University of Southern Maine in Portland  for an Education degree.  However, she attended nursing school following that and made nursing her lifetime career. She worked in hospitals and for in-home infusion companies. She worked at St. Josephs in Wayne, NJ at the time of her retirement due to her illness in 2020.

Linda was married to Fred Benoski of York, Maine and had three beautiful children together. She was widowed when Fred passed in 2008.

As Linda got older, and her children had grown, she rekindled old friendships from her high school years.  She also was very active and participated in organizing her high school reunions, including her upcoming 50th in 2021.  The gathering together of family and friends was something that Linda truly cherished, she had a strong sense of community and loved bringing people together.  So it comes as no surprise that hosting parties and holidays were some of Linda’s special talents.  Linda had a wonderful sense of compassion, and was often times selfless, putting others’ needs and problems before her own. Linda had a tenacious work ethic and would not let anything stand in her way of getting what needed to be done, done. Linda also enjoyed traveling later in her life frequenting destinations such as California, Hawaii, Florida and summers in Maine.  One of her favorite destinations was the country of Cuba. Linda was always fascinated with the Spanish Culture. She was a devoted mother and grandmother. She was not only there for her children, but also to help raise and support her grandchildren.  Aside from all of Linda’s hobbies, talents, and interests, her greatest passion was for her family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Linda than providing for and spending time with her children and grandchildren.  Linda was an exceptionally special person who touched the lives of many people and will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew her.

Linda is survived by her two daughters; Corinne A. Benoski of Highland Lakes, NJ, and Alyssia R.  Benoski of Cape Neddick, ME, one son Peter J. Benoski of Key West, FL, two grandchildren; Brielle C Benoski of Vernon, NJ, and Jayden A Benoski of Vernon, NJ, one nephew, Tyler R Burack of Burlington, NJ, one brother-in-law, Troy Gerry of Elliot, ME, one sister, Shelly Coyne of Duluth, GA, two nieces Stephanie Woegans and her husband Travis of Granville, OH, and Heather Coyne of Duluth, GA, and nine cousins; Craig Wagner and his wife Sharon of San Diego, CA, Peter Wagner of Wytheville, VA, Larry Wagner and his wife Connie of Jacksonville, FL, Kathy McKinnon-Capo of Tarpon Springs, FL, Lynne McKinnon of New Port Richey, FL, Joy McKinnon-Domke of Springhill, FL, Susan McKinnon of St Pete, FL, Margie McKinnon of St Pete, FL, and Jimmy McKinnon and his wife Lee of New Port Richey, FL.        

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to Memorial Sloan Kettering- MSK Cancer Research would be greatly appreciated.