Linda Van Sant Wegscheider, 80, of Erwinna, PA, passed peacefully on November 11th at her home in Tinicum Township. She was the widow of Harold B. Wegscheider.
Born in Trenton, NJ, she was the daughter of the late John A. Van Sant Sr. and Emma (Reid) Van Sant.
She was a 1961 Palisades High School graduate and continued her education at Catawba College in Salisbury, NC where she earned her BA. She later earned her Masters Degree at Kutztown State and Trenton State Colleges. She was certified in History, English and Special Education. Linda began her teaching career in the Rowan County School District, NC, teaching at the Quarry Elementary School. She then moved back home to Tinicum Township and taught in the Palisades School District where she was a beloved English teacher for 32 years. Linda lived most of her life in Tinicum Township and grew up at Van Sant Airport, started by her father.
Linda received her private pilot’s license in her 50s and took great pleasure in flying. She sponsored an aviation club at the Palisades Middle School which concluded each semester in bringing the students to her house for a picnic, followed by airplane rides. Linda also enjoyed spending time with her many friends, traveling, swimming, horseback riding, reading, writing, board games, playing pinochle, snowmobiling, motorcycle riding, hunting, fishing and most of all, adding to her extensive collection of frogs. Linda’s favorite saying was “Life is Good”, and she instilled that belief in as many people as she could.
She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Deborah S. Hawkins of Dublin, PA, her best bud, Heather Grim of Coopersburg, PA, her loyal and loving dog, Rango, and many, many friends. She was preceded in death by her only son, Wesley R. Hawkins, her sister Jean A. Somp, and brother, John A. Van Sant, Jr.
Relatives and friends are invited to her memorial service at 11 a.m., Saturday, November 25 at Reed and Steinbach Funeral Home, 2335 Lower State Road, Doylestown, where the family will receive guests from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Linda’s name may be made to: : The Salvation Army Eastern Pennsylvania Headquarters, 701 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123 ( https://easternusa.salvationarmy.org/eastern-pennsylvania ); Bayada Home Health Care, 2500 York Rd. Suite 140 Jamison, PA 18929 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.