Hendersonville, NC/Northborough, MA – Linda J. Finster, a spirited and loving soul, passed away peacefully on March 1st, 2024, at Elizabeth House Hospice in Flat Rock, North Carolina, at the age of 80.
Born on September 4, 1943, in Lincoln, Nebraska, Linda’s life was a tapestry of adventure, dedication, and unwavering love for her family.
The daughter of the late Richard L. and Ruth J. (Wohlenberg) Trosper, Linda spent her early years in Lincoln, sharing an unbreakable bond and a lifetime of cherished memories with her sister Janet, who was born on Linda’s fourth birthday. Together, they navigated the joys and challenges of childhood while their father served in WWII.
The family later moved to Pasadena, Texas, and then to Alexandria, Louisiana, where Linda’s vibrant spirit and intelligence shone brightly. She graduated from Pasadena High School with high honors in 1961 and went on to attend Northwestern State University in Louisiana, where she studied English.
Linda’s adventurous nature led her to many memorable escapades with her sister, including the purchase of a 1959 Triumph TR3. It was during one of their sports car rallies that Linda met the love of her life, Richard Finster, an Air Force serviceman stationed at England Air Force Base. The couple married in 1965 and soon welcomed their daughter, Eleanore. They moved to Framingham, Massachusetts, where Richard worked for Raytheon, and Linda worked as a secretary at Natick Labs.
The family grew with the births of Sharon in 1972 and Rich in 1976. Linda’s nurturing heart and adventurous spirit made her a remarkable mother, even as the family relocated to Vashon Island, Washington, and later back to Northborough, Massachusetts. Tragically, cancer claimed Richard at the young age of 43, leaving Linda to raise their children alone but, with the same resilience and love that had always defined her.
Linda’s strength and determination were evident when she moved her family to Hendersonville, North Carolina, and pursued a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. She later worked as an administrative assistant to the Dean of Instruction at Blue Ridge Community College.
Linda’s passion for life extended to her involvement with the Rainy Day Ladies Investment Club and her dedication to environmental causes in Western North Carolina. She had an encyclopedic knowledge of birds and plants, and her love for nature was infectious. Above all, Linda cherished her three granddaughters, Emily, Abby and Audrey Recko and her two grandsons, Lucas and Sawyer Finster—ensuring that their visits were filled with joy and the perfect toys.
Linda leaves behind a legacy of love and adventure. She is survived by her two daughters, Eleanore Recko and her husband Doug of Stow, MA, and Sharon Finster of Asheville, NC; her son, Rich Finster and his wife Heather of Hendersonville, NC; her adored grandchildren; her sister, Janet and her husband O.C. Scarbrock of Woodworth, LA; and numerous friends who were touched by her vibrant spirit.
Linda’s life was a testament to her adventurous, spirited, and loving nature. She faced life’s challenges with grace and emerged with a smile. Her passing came just one day before the 40th anniversary of her beloved Richard’s death, and there is comfort in knowing they are reunited at last. Linda’s journey through life will be memorialized by her ability to provide her children with a happy and fulfilling life, despite the hardships they faced. Her unwavering love and the joy she brought to those around her will be deeply missed but never forgotten.
A funeral will be held at 12 Noon on Friday, March 8, at Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main Street, Northborough. She will then be laid to rest beside her beloved Richard in Howard Street Cemetery, Northborough. At a later date, Linda’s family will hold a memorial service for friends and family in the Hendersonville, North Carolina area.
Linda’s family would like to thank the caring staff at Elizabeth House Hospice for the love and support shown to Linda during her final days. Her family would ask that you consider a memorial donation in Linda’s name to Elizabeth House Hospice, 581 S. Allen Rd, Flat Rock, NC 28731.
