Obituary of Linda M. Gustafson

Linda McCray Gustafson, aged 74, of Wyncote, PA, passed away peacefully on September 18, 2020, due to complications of a stroke experienced four years prior. Linda was born on March 8, 1946, in Philadelphia and raised in Wyncote, PA, by her loving parents, Helen S. McCray and Robert McCray. After graduating from Cheltenham High School in 1964, she entered the nursing program at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) and graduated with a BN in 1967. She then graduated from The University of Pennsylvania in 1972 with a BSN degree. While attending Penn, Linda met her future husband, William (Bill) Gustafson, who was serving as an NROTC instructor. Bill and Linda married in 1971 and lived in Yeadon, PA, while Linda continued to work at HUP, and Bill finished his Naval commitment. In 1973 Linda and Bill’s daughter, Becky, was born, followed in 1977 by their daughter Amy. Linda was a devoted homemaker and mother. She also taught classes on holistic health and later served as Parish Nurse at Calvary Presbyterian Church in Wyncote. Linda was a very spiritual person and known for reaching out to those who needed comfort. She loved nature in all forms and was particularly interested in gardening and birds. She had many pets throughout her lifetime, but no pet was as loved as her Siamese, Toby. In addition to her role as a loving mother, mother-in-law, and wife, Linda’s greatest joy was her only grandchild, Lorelei. Linda is survived by husband Bill, daughters Becky (Matthew) and Amy (Christopher), granddaughter Lorelei, sister Beth (Michael), and nieces and nephew. Due to the social-distancing requirements presently in place, a private funeral will be held on September 26, 2020, at Abington Presbyterian Church in Abington, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Covenant House, Times Square Station, P.O. Box 731, New York, NY 10108-0900 (www.covenanthouse.org).