Linda A. Hunt, age 65, of Wilmington, passed peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Friday, April 28, 2017 after fiercely and courageously fighting her battle with cancer.
Linda was born to Vincent L. and Jean (Reno) DiLeonardo on December 13, 1951. After graduating from Mount Pleasant High School in 1969, she had a number of clerical positions in Wilmington before landing a job at Atlas Powder Company which quickly accelerated into a position as an executive secretary in the corporate research and development department for ICI, Americas. She also found the time to work part time at the local Stanley’s Tavern, where she met her husband and lifelong companion of nearly 37 years.
Linda married her soul mate, Christopher S. Hunt, on October 4, 1980 in Wilmington. She was a loving mother to three children: Thomas, Katherine (Katie) and Robert. Linda was devoted to her family and put them before any of her own needs. While tending to her family and children, she also made time to volunteer for various school and church activities.
As her children grew, Linda was able to return to work, excelling in various positions including emergency room technician and dental assistant. After a successful battle with breast cancer in the late 1990’s, Linda achieved a lifelong dream of becoming a flight attendant. When her airline ceased operations, she pivoted to other endeavors that ultimately culminated in a career as a certified pharmacy technician. Linda loved working with the public and the public loved working with her.
As Linda’s illness progressed, she was unable to work but still considered her family to be her primary responsibility. She will be missed by anyone who ever knew her.
She is also survived by her loving brother Vincent L. DiLeonardo, Jr. (Dale), many nieces and nephews and extended family.
Linda had many friends from all stages of life. She enjoyed country music, dancing, the beach, card playing, eating crabs, gardening, decorating, craft making, watching the Phillies, playing with her dog Lucy and having large family gatherings.
The Hunt family would like to thank the Helen Graham Cancer Center, Christiana Care, Christiana Care MICU and Penn Medicine who cared for Linda with love, respect and compassion. We would also like to thank Linda’s dear friend Marie Walters (Dennis) as well as her sister-in-law Mary Jane Hunt Kirby for all the care and support they provided.
Funeral mass will be held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1414 N. King Street, Wilmington, DE 19801 on Friday, May 5, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. Internment will be private. All are welcome to celebrate her life at mass.
Linda loved animals and children. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 and Delaware SPCA, 455 Stanton Christiana Road, Newark, DE 19713.