Linda Irene (White) DeCarolis

Linda Irene DeCarolis

1946 ~ 2023 (age 76) 

A Life of Caring, Kindness, and Appreciation of Beauty and Joy

Early Years

Linda was born in Drexel Hill, PA on August 10, 1946, to the late Lloyd and Gladys White.  In her early years, she was a student of ballet and continued attending ballets throughout her life as she deeply appreciated the gracefulness of movement and beauty that the performance conveyed.  It was during a high school square dance that she met the love of her life Anthony Mario DeCarolis of Upper Darby, PA who was already a performing musician.  The two shared an immense love of music which led them to have adventures traveling the U.S., abroad, and wherever Anthony’s musical career took them.  Places Linda and Anthony lived included in New York during Anthony’s military service at West Point, in Florida, and ‘on the road’ in their travel trailer!  During these early years Linda developed many lifelong friendships.  

As a Wife, Mother, Daughter, Sister, Grandmother, Aunt, and Dear Friend

Linda had her only child Anthony Andrew when she was thirty years of age.  She chose the middle name Andrew after her Canadian grandfather Andrew Merritt who lived for 105 years.  From the earliest age, Linda taught Anthony Andrew what mattered most to her: manners, courtesy, kindness, and to have a strong command of the English language.  Linda, like her mother, had impeccable handwriting and an extensive vocabulary (she loved researching and using what she called ‘weird and wonderful words’).  Linda read constantly to Anthony Andrew who recalls working with her on cursive writing and spelling during the summer months in their summer home(s) in Sea Isle City, New Jersey.  She was a caring and deeply loving mother.

Likewise, Linda was a caring wife, daughter, sister, grandmother, aunt and friend.  Her husband Anthony was the center of her universe, her best friend, and soulmate.  Amazingly and wonderfully, their love for each other only grew over the course of sixty years.  Linda supported Anthony unconditionally throughout his career as a musician.  She genuinely did not care about material items.  She only cared about being close to and caring for those that she loved the most and to be in her home on Windsor Avenue in Lansdowne, which she loved and believed was a special place.  

She maintained a lifelong bond and friendship with her mother Gladys who loved and supported Linda unconditionally throughout life.  In kind, Linda loved and provided care for Gladys, who, like her father, also lived for over 100 years.  

To Linda’s brother (Marvin), sisters-in-law (Roseanne, Marlene, Fran, and Sharon), many nieces and nephews, and many friends, Linda was known for being genuinely caring, interested in their lives, and for being supportive, fun, and lighthearted.  Linda remembered everyone’s birthdays, anniversaries or other special events.  Anyone who received a card from Linda knew that she spent a significant amount of time picking out just the right card and would write, with impeccable handwriting, a sweet note.  

In her later years, Linda enjoyed strolling Longwood Gardens where she was a member and would spend hours appreciating the beauty of the flowers and nature in an unhurried and almost spiritual manner.  She was someone who could truly be present, in the moment, and focused on things she deemed beautiful, and which brought her joy.  Throughout her life she enjoyed music (she was always the first on the dance floor), classic movies, going to concerts, and being with friends and loved ones.  She was known for her sense of humor and wonderful personality. Linda will be remembered as a loving, kind, and gentle free spirit who will forever remain in our hearts.

Linda passed away peacefully on February 15, 2023, surrounded by her loving family.

She is survived by her dearest husband and best friend Anthony,  her beloved son Anthony Andrew(Lauren), and her two precious  grandchildren Jack and Ailey.  Linda is also survived by her brother Marvin (Sharon) sister in laws Roseanne (Ray McCarty), Marlene DiFeliciantonio, Fran White and brother-in-law Fred DeCarolis.  Linda also leaves behind her most precious nieces and nephews who were the love of her life and her devoted friends.  

Funeral Services:

Relatives and friends are invited to join the family for visitation and a celebration of Linda’s beautiful life on Monday, May 1, 2023, at 1PM at Ruffenach Family Funeral Home 4900 Township Line Road, Drexel Hill, PA 19026

Visitation:                  1:00 PM 

Service:                      1:30 PM 

Memorial Luncheon 3:00 PM     Anthony’s Ristorante, 865 W Springfield Road, Springfield, PA

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