With the kindest heart, most loving soul, and with such a passion for life, Linda Campos, 51, has passed suddenly and unexpectedly due to an undetected brain tumor. Linda’s support of her family’s next generation was tireless starting with her nieces, Sarah, Amy, and Vanessa, all beautiful women who she encouraged to vote every election and she was so very proud of. She was also very proud of both her nephews, Manny Jr and Vinny Jr, for who they had become in their young adulthood, growing stronger with each day, but she was even more proud of the love each had in their heart resembling her own. She cherished her goddaughter, Juliet, offering creative and loving guidance, so she could thrive as she grew beyond her youth.

Linda was born in Newark, NJ and raised in Kearny yet she always longed to live near the beach. In 2009 she moved into an apartment in Asbury Park and in 2014 she moved to Long Branch. She loved everything about the ocean and the beaches and as an eternal gift will be cremated and returned to her beloved ocean in the form of an eternal reef.

She graduated from Queen of Peace High School in North Arlington and went on to study computer graphics at Rutgers University. Linda’s professional artistic talents were vast and remarkable including Leland Limited, her current employer, as well as working with the Rio Olympics, Seton Hall University, Lewis Advertising, and many other clients. Linda’s creative touch was broad, whether professionally in creating a new website, being an Art Director for a publication, or in her personal life which took the forms of everything from creating a perfect party invitation, to a home design touch, or the coolest costume idea.

Linda’s passions extended beyond artistic expressions and her love of all things beach, included music and dancing knowing the words of every classic rock song, politics that respected the ocean and the climate, women’s rights, running and healthy living, travel and adventures near or far, and most of all a respect for all people and living creatures. The myriad of cats and kittens and dogs and puppies that she walked, fostered, took care of or took in, were all lucky to know and love her and they all lived in her heart as well. She knew people by their pets’ names! Her beloved fur child Sasha, a Norwegian Forest cat whom she adopted and whom she called “my designer cat”, was the last in line of many cats who were blessed to call her their mom. Sasha danced with her in the kitchen, faithfully slept next to her and had to be in constant physical contact with her when they were together. She was the love of his life.

Linda’s love of family extended also to the adults. Rose, her cousin, who looked and acted like her twin sister, were inseparable and both were so lucky to have spent 10 days together in the UK and Portugal only in the last 2 months, a dream trip. Linda’s love for Rose extends beyond this life. Linda loved to host parties and invite family and friends and she enjoyed all of her time with them.

Linda leaves behind her parents, Antonio and Maria Campos, Portugal, her brother Antonio (Gerri) Campos, North Carolina, her brother Manuel Campos, her dear sister-in-law, Debbie Flynn, Rockaway, who will miss her deeply, her uncle and aunt Julio and Maria Farinhas, Basking Ridge, many cousins, extended family members and friends who shared her passion for life, the beach, and animals. Linda’s friends each had the same thing to say – she was their best friend and she made them feel as if they were so special. To touch so many people so deeply is a life well lived and the ultimate success. She had a smile that made you smile, a laugh that made the world better, and an energy that will never be forgotten.

With the deepest sadness because we miss Linda so much, we all say goodbye for now. Your time with us all was far too short, but our memories and your spirit will live with all of us forever.

In the ultimate act of giving, which was so much of what Linda did with her life, she will be donating her organs through The Sharing Network. She will continue to change lives and save lives even after her passing….