Linda M. Wooldridge

Linda Modne Wooldridge, 73, of North Caldwell New Jersey, passed away peacefully on Sunday July 13^th, 2025, surrounded by her family.

Linda was born in 1952 to Jack and Shirley Modne. Linda and her younger sister, Meredith Rinas, grew up in Livingston, NJ, and were always together riding their bikes, watching sitcoms, and swimming at the town pool with their neighbors.  She attended Tufts University in Medford, MA, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in public health. Linda worked as a community health researcher at Boston City Hospital before joining Digital Equipment Corporation as a technical writer. After pausing her career for more than 20 years to raise her three children, Linda turned to public education advocacy in her local community. She served on the Bernards Township Board of Education for more than 9 years, stepping down in 2020. During her time on the Board, she served terms as President and Vice President, and on every single committee. Linda was also Board liaison to the township Municipal Alliance for many years, where she worked to reduce the harms of substance use in the community.

Linda met her husband of 48 years, Jim Wooldridge, at a square-dancing class. They married in 1977 in Warren, New Jersey and raised their family in New Hampshire, California, and New Jersey. She passed on her determination and excellent taste in 60s rock music to her son, Michael; her patience and love of reading to her son, Jonathan; and her tenacity and scientific curiosity to her daughter, Lisa. Linda was completely devoted to her family, and loved nothing more than doting on her two granddaughters, Scarlett and Ivy.

Linda was determined in everything she did, open-minded and accepting of everyone she met, and unceasingly patient. Her family and friends cherish memories of cooking meals, playing Scrabble, traveling, and going on long walks together.

Linda is survived by her husband, sister, children, and grandchildren; her daughter-in-law Carolyn Davis; her brother-in-law, Dave Rinas; her nephew, Daniel Rinas, and his wife Karolina Rinas. She is predeceased by her parents and by her nephew, Isaac Rinas.

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In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Community Foodbank of New Jersey at cfbnj.org/donate-now