Linda Carol Gover of Sandy Hook passed away peacefully on February 12 at the age of 77. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. Linda will be remembered for her warmth, generosity, and strength of spirit.

Linda was born in Hempstead, N.Y., at Mitchel Air Force Base to Gisto Canestrari and Mary O’Brien Canestrari. Growing up as the daughter of a career military officer, Linda traveled the US with her family where her father was stationed in several states and abroad in Naples, Italy.

Linda graduated from Mascoutah High School in Illinois and later earned a degree in accounting from Western Connecticut State University. She worked as a CPA for many years and often volunteered her skills helping seniors with their tax returns.

She met the love of her life, Donald Gover, on a blind date. They were married for 56 years and raised three daughters together. Linda’s grandchildren were her pride and joy. She was their biggest fan and cheerleader and never missed a sporting event, theater production or music concert.

Linda loved reading, playing tennis, going to Broadway shows and spending time with her friends and family. She will be dearly missed by all whose lives she touched.

Linda is survived by her husband, Donald Gover; her daughters Lisa Dievert and her husband Ronald Dievert of Sandy Hook, Jill Tino and her husband Guy Tino of Brookfield and Mary Nilsson and her husband Karl Nilsson of Newtown; her five grandchildren — Miles Dievert, Lindsay Dievert, Anna Tino, Christopher Tino, and Arne Nilsson; her siblings Brian O’Brien, David Canestrari and wife Kathy Canestrari, and Mary Ann Simonelli and husband Robert Simonelli; her brothers and sisters in law — Gwen Bowers and husband Richard Bowers, Marianne Hopkins and husband John Hopkins, Jeffrey Gover and wife Laura Gover, Jeanette McFadden and her husband Jim McFadden; and 24 nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her brothers Gary, Joseph, and Peter Canestrari, and sisters-in-law Robin and Mona Canestrari.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 21, from 4 to 7 pm, at Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 22 at 11 am, at St Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Newtown.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, PO Box 5014, Hagerstown MD 21741.

Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street in Newtown, is in charge of arrangements.