Maude Beatrice Linton of Mays Landing, NJ died peacefully at the age of 76 on Sunday, December 27, 2015 at AtlantiCare Medical Center. She was born in 1939 and raised in Bridgeton, NJ before moving north to Bay Head, NJ in 1957 where she met her loving husband and raised her family. In 2005 she moved back south to Atlantic County where she enjoyed the final years of her life.

She was extremely active her entire life and wherever there was work to do she would be there to help.

She spent her early years raising six children as a stay-at-home mom, worked countless odd jobs to help make ends meet, and even went back to school to become an operating room prep tech – another job that allowed her to impact countless people in a selfless, positive way. When she wasn’t busy helping others, she enjoyed bowling, making ceramics, buying Thomas Kinkade artwork, collecting dozens of Emmett Kelly clown figurines, and decorating her home with swans and ducks.

Maude loved to travel to visit family, accompany friends on cross-country trips, or even take a romantic river cruise on the Delta Queen.

When back home “resting” Maude enjoyed countless hours watching the Game Show Network, but would more likely be found cleaning. She believed that cleanliness was next to Godliness and that organization was vital to any possible success.

In later years, Maude was less mobile but did not let physical challenges get in her way; she always found a way to get things done. She became famous for recognizing countless birthdays in her own unique way: she expertly crafted personalized hats and oversized greeting cards, each one constructed with love for the recipient to wear prominently in public. Maude was an active member of the Woods Landing entertainment & social committee, loved her Atlantic City routine of Bingo, shows, and meals with friends, and immensely enjoyed the music of Ken McBride. When she wasn’t shopping at BonWorth or Boscov’s she could be found at Ye Olde Mill Street Pub, Cracker Barrel and The Crab Trap. Maude liked to be on time, which translated to being about an hour early for everything! She was also one of the few people left in America to use a camera that actually used film. Although she was a consummate planner, Maude always knew that if you wanted to make God laugh, all you had to do was tell him your plans.

Most importantly, Maude was an amazingly determined woman whose boundless generosity and genuine concern for others was unparalleled. She set a wonderful example for her family and friends; she will be dearly missed by all those who loved her wit, sense of humor and consideration of others.

Maude was predeceased by her parents George Mossbrooks and Rachel (Hamby) Mossbrooks and also by her sister Anna Mae Miletta and her brothers Andrew, Winfield and Vernon Mossbrooks.

Maude is survived by her husband of 57 years, Douglas R. Linton, Jr., and her six children: Wanda Jean Keith of Brick, NJ; Douglas R. Linton III of Smithville, NJ; Thomas Linton and his wife Carol of Brick, NJ; Janis McCollum of NC; Scott Linton of Barnegat, NJ; and Brian Linton and his wife Kacie of Lady Lake, FL. Maude was a proud grandmother to 12 grandchildren: Kimberly, Christie, Tommy, Amy, Matthew, Joseph, Michael, Andrew, Christopher, Evan, Abigail and Hanna; two great-grandchildren: Cecilia and Kevin; and one step-granddaughter: Nicole. Her brothers William, Frank and Harry Mossbrooks as well as two sisters, Margaret Rannels and Ethel Shinn, several loving in-laws, nieces, nephews and a host of long-time friends and neighbors.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 2, 2016 from 10:00 – 11:30 AM immediately followed by a memorial service at Boakes Funeral Home, 6050 Main Street, Mays Landing, NJ. A burial will follow after the service at Greenwood Memorial Park, North 10th Street and Broad Street, in Millville, NJ.

Memorial donations may be made to Maude’s favorite charities: Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital (https://shop.stjude.org) and The Salvation Army (http://donate.salvationarmyusa.org/).