Linda Mulcair

Linda Mulcair ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Vander Plaat Funeral Home - Wyckoff on Mar. 7, 2026.Linda Elaine Mulcair, 81, of Wood-Ridge, NJ passed peacefully on Saturday, March 7, 2026, surrounded by her family. She attended Wood-Ridge High School, where she was captain of the cheerleading squad, and studied Biology at Montclair State University. She taught Slimnastics at the Wood-Ridge Civic Center, carrying her record player to classes and sharing her love of music and movement with her community. For over twenty years, Linda was the Buyer and Manager at Tennis Outlet before becoming Director of Merchandising at Paragon Sports. Until her passing, Linda lived in Wood-Ridge in the beautiful home where she raised her children.Linda was a passionate woman with an unwavering devotion to her family and friends, and her faith. She saw beauty in all things, and all creatures, great and small. An avid gardener and lover of nature, Linda created an outdoor oasis at her homes in Wood-Ridge and Ortley Beach. She did everything by hand, finding beauty in the ordinary and transforming it into something extraordinary. When not in her garden, on the tennis court or practicing Tai Chi, Linda could be found in the kitchen working on a new recipe or cooking a feast for her family. She made endless memories with her lifelong friends, who she considered family. She cherished her trips with the Calendar Girls to Sag Habor, Lake Travis, the Jersey Shore, and the many cruises throughout Europe.Linda volunteered her time and many talents to her community. She was a proud appointee of the Bergen County Ethics Committee and volunteered as Head of Floral Design at Assumption of Our Blessed Lady Roman Catholic Church. She spent years preparing meals for those in need at Meals with a Mission. Throughout her life she opened her home to her beloved rescue cats, Mittens, Max, Little Girl and Max.In a home built by her beloved parents, Fred and Helen Freschi, Linda spent summer weekends with her family at the Jersey Shore. She loved collecting shells on the beach, taking long walks on the boardwalk, riding her bike along the Bay and inviting neighbors for cocktails on the front porch. Linda also loved to travel to new places where she always met new friends and was sure to collect at least one new piece of art from a local artist. This past September, Linda traveled to Italy with her family to attend the wedding of her grandson where, unsurprisingly, she was the first one on the dance floor. Born to entertain she was always in motion and never missed an opportunity to sing and dance. Her love for life was infectious and her presence larger than life.Linda's passions, faith, and joyful spirit live on within her children and her grandchildren. She built a family filled with love and laughter. She took every moment to celebrate and champion them and taught them to always love and care for one another.She is survived by her three children, Christine and her husband John, Carolyn and her husband Michael, and Daniel and his fiancé Robin. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Julia and her fiancé Jacob, Nicholas and his wife Olivia, and Kaitlyn. Their beating heart and the love of their lives, her family will miss their mother and grandmother endlessly.The family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 10 th , Linda's 82 nd birthday, from 4pm to 8pm at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, 257 Godwin Ave, Wyckoff, NJ.A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 11 th at 9:30 am at Linda's parish, Assumption of Our Blessed Lady, 142 1 st Street, Wood-Ridge, NJ.Interment will follow at George Washington Memorial Park, 234 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ.In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to Villa Marie Claire, where Linda and her family were lovingly cared for during her final days.Donate to Villa Marie Claire: https://www.holyname.org/foundation/support.aspxTo send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Linda Mulcair, please visit our floral store.