Published in the April 15, 2016 edition.
STONEHAM — Linda Jean Sparks of Stoneham, formerly of Billerica and Wakefield, passed suddenly at home on April 13.
She was the daughter of the late Charlie and Thelma Sparks. She was the beloved sister and best friend to Lisa Ventura and her husband Joe, and Stephen Sparks of Wakefield. She was the loving aunt and “fairy godmother” to Melissa Kapeckas and her husband Mark of Marlborough, Justin Berry of Wakefield and Christina Ventura of New York City. She is also survived by many beloved cousins and treasured friends.
She was a graduate of Wakefield High School, Class of 1971 and received her bachelor and master’s degrees from Fitchburg State College. Linda was a dedicated teacher in the Billerica school system for more than 40 years, spending most of that time as a kindergarten and first grade teacher at the John F. Kennedy School. She loved being an educator more than anything else. Her classroom was a truly magical place, where students were made to feel special, unique and encouraged to grow. Her kids knew that she believed in them and her impact was long lasting, well beyond their time in her classroom. Children were a special gift to Linda that filled her heart with joy. Linda also loved spending time with family and friends at the family cottage in York Beach, Maine, sharing stories around the campfire and time on the beach. She enjoyed using her creativity with arts and crafts and volunteering for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Wakefield. She worked weekends at the Whiffle Tree Gift Shop and enjoyed talking with all of the people who stopped by.
Funeral services will be held at the First Parish Congregational Church, 1 Church St., Wakefield on Tuesday at 11 a.m. Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Monday from 4-8 p.m. Interment will take place at Lakeside Cemetery, Wakefield.
