Obituary of Linda Van Buskirk

Linda June Sontra Van Buskirk after a lengthy illness died suddenly on Thursday September 12, 2024. She was born June 2, 1948 at Norwalk Hospital and was predeceased by her parents William Sontra, Irene (Csik) Sontra, stepmother Helen (Henczel) Sontra and a sister Margaret Betts. She is survived by her husband David, a sister Suzanne Virgulak, her daughter Christa Van Buskirk and a son Matthew Van Buskirk. Linda Married her 3rd grade sweetheart David James Van Buskirk on October 14, 1972 and they were married for almost 52 years. Linda Graduated from Brien McMahon with David in the class of 1966. After high school Linda graduated from Becker Junior College on June 9, 1968 in Worchester, MA with a degree of Associate in Science. This is where she met some lifelong friends and were known as the “Becker Girls”. Linda’s career took off as a legal secretary for the law office of Salvin and Salvin in Wilton, CT where she enjoyed numerous years of service working under attorney Arthur Salvin. Linda and David proudly lived at 37 Esquire Rd. in Norwalk for 49 years. She was a devout church member of the Hungarian Reformed Church in South Norwalk and also the United Congregational Church of West Norwalk. Linda loved going to church, especially signing all the hymns, most of them by memory, and when she couldn’t go, she listened and watched services on TV. Linda loved to write, read, sew cook, write letters to friends, volunteer for many church, school and sports activities. She loved listening to music, taking long walks, spending time with family, and most of all watching her family’s sporting events. Ranging from basketball, baseball, soccer, hockey, softball and tennis. She was a loyal and diehard Mets, Giants, Islanders, UCONN girls’ basketball fan, as well as the best Norwalk High School Bears sports fan! Linda answered more phone calls, washes more dirty uniforms, and served more late dinners than anyone in Norwalk! Also, she especially loved her favorite and only house cat Simba. Some of her favorite places on earth included Bermuda (honeymoon), Quebec, Germany, Vermont and Western Pennsylvania. Linda was the most caring person in the world. She was selfless, put herself last and always worried about others, all the time. She always said “be kind to others” and “do unto others”. She was a great wife, sister, daughter, mom and friend. She was loved by all and will be missed forever. Her family will greet friends on Tuesday September 24, 2024 from 5-7 pm at Magner Funeral Home 12 Mott Ave. Norwalk, CT. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday September 25th at 11:00 am at Magner Funeral Home with burial to follow at Riverside Cemetery, 81 Riverside Ave. Norwalk, CT. If you wish to make a donation in her name it can be made to The United Congregational Church of West Norwalk.