Linda Julia (Sebazco) Porcellini

Linda was the daughter of Angelina (nee Fontana) & Elio Sebazco and grew up in Philadelphia on the 2500 block of South Jessup Street with her sister, Irene.  They lived just doors away from her favorite Aunt, Sarah Oliveri. Linda only spoke fondly of all the wonderful neighbors and the happy times they had in their tight knit little community.

She went to Thomas Junior High School where she said she had the best times of her life with her closest friends, Connie and JoAnn B.  They started a club, “The 11th Street Ladies” - Linda, Joann Forte, Connie DeRenzi, Rae Kennealy, Arlene (Bunny) Laganella, Barbara Polce and JoAnn Betteridge.

She then graduated from South Philadelphia High School where she met her husband, Michael C. Porcellini, II.  They were married for 36 years and later divorced.  She had two children, Michael and Gina. 

Linda worked for the School District of Philadelphia and loved it until the day she retired after over 30 years.

In her early 40’s, Linda developed a relationship with our Lord and faithfully attended mass every day.  She loved Jesus and would pray and read the Holy Bible every day as well.  She was a true Christian and devoted herself to our Savior.

Besides the deep love she had for Jesus and Gina and Michael, she loved her sister’s children dearly; Frankie, Carla and Jamey.  She had the joy of spending time with their kids, her great nieces and nephews; Gabrielle, Katie, Joey, Little Frankie, Anthony and Giada.  All of them called her “Ena” because when Gabby was little, she wasn’t able to say “Aunt Linda.”  Well that stuck and to all of the kids, she became their “Ena.”  Anthony was her buddy, she would pick him up from the school bus and take him to dinner at the spot of his choice every week.  She was crazy about Anthony and Anthony was crazy about Ena.  Linda also adored her grandchildren, Michael’s children, Ava and Mikey.  She was Mom-Mom to them.

She loved being a Grandmom to Gina’s dogs and would gladly doggie sit whenever she was asked.

Linda and her son-in-law, Tommy, had a wonderful relationship.  They loved to joke with each other and shared a mutual love of sweets and would eat ice cream, cookies and cake together.  Tommy called her “Me Mommy” because when she called, she would say, “Hi Gina, Hi Tommy, it’s Me, Mommy” and that became Tommy’s pet name for her. Linda always said she had the best son-in-law and Tommy loved her just the same and was always so happy to see her.

Since she lived almost an hour from her daughter, Gina would invite her to stay for the weekend.  They loved their time shopping at Home Goods, going to dinner, sitting by the pool and just being together.  She told Gina that it made her feel so happy to just think of Gina & Tommy and how happy they were.  Her children were everything to her.  Their happiness was her happiness.

Linda loved being with family the most but she also loved the beach and mostly the turquoise water of Cancun.  She loved to travel and she loved her Manhattans.  King of Queens and Law & Order were two of her favorite shows.  The Notebook was her favorite movie.  Purple was originally her favorite color and then after seeing the technicolor blue of the Gulf of Mexico, that became her favorite.  She always kept her hair fixed and was dressed stylishly with beautiful jewelry.  She loved old movies and loved to laugh.  She loved children and their innocence.  She loved being with her girlfriends.  She still said Duchess (the first family dog) was the sweetest.  Elizabeth Taylor was her idol and she was fascinated by movie stars.  She said her grandparents were the best cooks in the world.  She was crazy about her grandfather and Uncle Frank and always said how intelligent Uncle Frank was with no formal education but just from devouring books.  She always wished she had learned to swim.  She visited her mother every day in the nursing home and would even call Bingo if they needed a fill-in.  She thought Brad Pitt was the sexiest man alive.  She loved Italian food and cinnamon buns with nuts and raisins.  Linda loved Cuban music and was always proud of her Cuban heritage.

Sadly, in October, 2019 Linda was diagnosed with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.  She passed away just 6 months later at the age of 79.  She always said that she was not afraid to die, she was afraid to suffer.  Thankfully, she didn’t have to suffer.  

She will be missed by so many but especially her children, Gina & Michael, who are devastated by the loss of their mother.  

Linda was a kind and selfless woman who is now living in eternal happiness with our Lord and loved ones who have passed.

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