Linda A. Shorten

OBITUARY

Linda A. Shorten, 86, of Scranton died Monday morning at Elan Skilled Nursing in Scranton after a brief illness.

She is the widow of Ronald B. Shorten who died April 27, 2016.

Born March 29, 1939 in Scranton, she was the daughter of the late Donald and Esther (Cruger) Reaser.

Linda was a graduate of Moscow High School and Philadelphia General Hospital School of Nursing.

After being the best stay at home Mom, she re-entered her nursing career and ultimately retired from Scranton Counseling Center. She was most proud of her work with Lackawanna County in transitioning developmentally disabled adults to the overall community during the closure of the Pennhurst facility.

Linda was a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. She was known for her artistic talents including knitting, quilting, and designing many special gifts. She volunteered as a girl scout leader, council cookie chairperson, and softball coach. Linda was an avid Philadelphia Phillies fan and was known for her biting and wonderful sense of humor. She relished her long time Card Club and spending quality with her loving family. She will be dearly missed.

Surviving are her daughters Jane L. Merolla and husband George of Dalton, Rhonda A. Walsh and husband Michael of Moscow; and her son David A. Shorten and wife Stephanie of Enola, PA; (9) grandchildren: William Lawrence, and fianc Rachel Rafalko, Joseph Merolla, Matthew Merolla, Madison Merolla, Michael Walsh and wife Ana, Stephanie Roumiantseva, and husband Greg, D.J. Shorten, Bryce Shorten, and Kathryn Shorten; great-grandchildren: Asher, Toms, and Mariana; nephews and cousins. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Donna Reaser.

In addition to her parents, and husband Linda was preceded in death by her brother Allan Reaser.

A funeral liturgy will be celebrated Friday at 11:00 a.m. in St. Luke’s Episcopal Churc, 232 Wyoming Avenue, Scranton, PA with Rev. Tyler Perry as officiating clergy.

Friends may call on Thursday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in Duffy & Snowdon Funeral Home, 401 Church Street, Moscow, PA

Interment and rite of committal will be conducted at Fairview Memorial Park – Elmhurst Twp., PA

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 232 Wyoming Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503.

For online condolences, visit the funeral home website.

Linda A. Shorten

December 1, 2025