Linda G. Belden

Linda G. Belden, of Landenberg, Pennsylvania passed away on Sunday, March 26, 2017 after a long illness in Newark, Delaware.

Linda was born on a lovely June day to the late Jay and Florence Grafton of Wayne, Pennsylvania. Linda’s proud father would regularly take her out for carriage rides to show off his beautiful daughter to the neighbors, and Linda greeted them with a big smile. Linda attended Upper Marion High School where she was a varsity swimmer. She then attended Parsons College in Iowa. Linda married Charles A. Soczek, and they shared their home in Landenberg.

The highlight of Linda’s career was working in the National Accounts Division of ADP. However, her passion was collecting beautiful things that decorated her home. She was also an avid gardener, modifying her property with beautiful gardens.

Linda and Charles enjoyed traveling around the region, and they made trips to Europe and Japan. They also enjoyed entertaining visitors from several foreign lands. Linda developed many long-lasting friendships, and she never forgot her old friends. She will be remembered for her energy, intelligence and overwhelming generosity. The world has lost a bright light, but it will continue to shine in the memories of those that knew and loved her.

Linda had one sister Marilyn (McKenna), whom she always spoke of highly, and one brother Wayne. Linda’s mother had three sisters, Helen Shoup and Marion Gillespie of Wayne, and Ann Andrews of New Jersey. Her cousins included the Ransom Shoup II, Helen Aldrich (Shoup) Baas, the late Franklin Gillespie, Jr., Carolyn (Gillespie) Levan, Willard Andrews and Warren Andrews. Linda had also one niece, Melissa.

Linda was very caring of her parents in their later years, regularly making the long trip from her home to be with them several times a week. She also regularly visited her Aunt Helen, whom she loved dearly. She also frequently visited Aunt Marion and her husband in their later years. Linda’s extended family was close, with aunts, uncles, and their children celebrating birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions together.