Linda Stock, age 67, of Milford, CT, and beloved wife to Heinz Stock, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, on Saturday, May 24, 2014 after a long battle with cancer. She was born in New Britain, CT on May 21, 1947 to Irene Smith. She graduated from Jonathan Law High School in 1965 and then received a business degree from Stone Business School. She married Heinz Stock on September 6, 1969. Linda joined the City of Milford workforce in 1990 as a clerk in the Planning and Zoning office, moved on to Secretary, then Administrative Assistant to the City Planner, and finally became the Zoning Enforcement Officer in 1997. She decided to run for office and became the City Clerk of Milford in 2009 (and became state-certified in 2013), a position she held until just before her passing. She was known as being tough, but fair, and made an impact on many throughout her years of service to the City. Linda was a past president of the Milford Oyster Festival Committee and dedicated much time and energy to this event over the years. Linda served as a Connecticut Justice of the Peace, and proudly performed many weddings and civil unions. She was also an active member of the Milford Republican Town Committee, and was a founding member of the Republican Women of Milford. Linda loved the beach from an early age. Her father, A. Leslie Smith, owned Smith’s 17 Acre Park on the beach in Milford, where she was a competitive roller skater in her youth, winning many trophies and teaching others to skate. She enjoyed musical theater, Broadway shows, country-western dancing, Scrabble, and scrapbooking, and was a loyal fan of the soap opera General Hospital. She loved music, and had eclectic tastes ranging from Harry Chapin and the Beatles to Coldplay and Adam Lambert. Linda could often be seen driving around Milford in her purple, custom-painted Jeep, with the top down and music blasting. She was proud of having designed her family’s home in Milford after having taken an architectural drafting course. She loved holidays, but her favorite was Christmas, which she prepared for year-round. Over the years, she enjoyed vacationing with her husband and friends in Aruba and Mexico. Linda had a larger-than-life personality, and will be remembered for her exuberance and welcoming spirit; opening her home and making strangers feel like family. Being a grandmother (or Babcia, as she was called by her grandchildren) was a great joy in Linda’s life. She greatly enjoyed spending time with, and spoiling, her grandchildren and was an active presence in their lives.

Linda is survived by her mother, Irene Smith; her husband, Heinz; sons Jeremy (wife Sarah), Kristofer, and Michael; sisters Paula Smith and Dawn Carlson (significant other Jim Hammill); brother and Milford firefighter Dean Smith (significant other Jen Slavin); and beloved grandchildren Maia and Harrison. She is also survived by a number of aunts and cousins in the New Britain, CT area. She was predeceased by her father, A. Leslie Smith.

Friends and family may call on Wednesday, May 28th from 2-8 PM at Cody-White Funeral Home, 107 Broad Street, Milford, CT. A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, May 29th at 11 AM at Wildermere Beach Congregational Church, 133 Broadway in Milford, CT (MEET DIRECTLY AT CHURCH). Burial will be private. The family requests that visitors wear colorful clothing to help celebrate Linda’s colorful life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to one of the following organizations dedicated to helping veterans: Paralyzed Veterans of America, Disabled American Veterans, or the Wounded Warriors project, or to a charity of their choice. To leave online condolences, please visit our website at www.codywhitefuneralservice.com