Florinda (Leal) Rinaldi, a woman of extraordinary grace and compassion towards everyone she encountered, died peacefully on July 2, 2026, surrounded by her beloved family.

A remarkable centenarian, born on April 21, 1924, in Kingston, Massachusetts, Florinda lived a long and happy life filled with kindness and love, not only for her family and friends, but for all the many patients she cared for as a nurse. To her colleagues and friends, she was known as either Flossy (in her early years) or Linda. Lovingly, as Mom to her three children and their spouses, Meme to her numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

After graduating from Plymouth High School in 1942, Linda began her career in nursing at Quincy City Hospital, but for her that was just the beginning of a long and far-reaching profession. It was almost as if she had the need to care for as many people as possible in every walk of life. While attending Quincy City Hospital School of Nursing, she also joined the Army Nurse Corps and completed her training as an RN at Belleview Hospital in NYC. Although prepared to enter the army as a nurse, WWII ended and she remained in Quincy. In 1976, Linda felt privileged to be asked to participate in the 40-year long, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School’s landmark “Nurses’ Health Study”, the largest investigative long-term study into the risk factors for major chronic disease in nurses, as it became the hallmark piece that influenced public health policy and practice to improve women’s health.

From direct patient care to becoming the lead nurse in charge of the medical surgical unit at Quincy City Hospital, Linda was passionate about every aspect of her profession. She later moved to private duty nursing, in both acute hospital care and in-home healthcare. Later in her career, Linda managed occupational health at the Federal Reserve in Boston to be followed by industrial nursing at Armstrong Cork in Braintree. Linda ended her lengthy career as a beloved school nurse for the Braintree Public Schools. It is difficult to say which setting was her favorite because she spoke so fondly of each one.

In retirement, Linda loved traveling with her late husband, Francis, but mostly enjoyed spending time with her family. She also was an expert knitter and every member of the family cherishes several projects that she completed with love - both large (blankets, baby and adult sweaters) and small (her well-known potholders). She was an amazing cook and baker and rarely a day passed without the scent of fresh baked cookies wafting throughout the house.

Linda is survived by her three children, Raymond L. Stadig and his wife Rosemarie (DiCesare) Stadig of Hanover, Massachusetts; Karen (Stadig) Sullivan of Waterville, Maine; and Sherilyn (Stadig) Harrison and her husband James Harrison of Braintree, Massachusetts.

Linda was predeceased by her first husband, Wilburt Stadig, and her second husband Francis Rinaldi. She also leaves behind 6 grandchildren, Cathy, Michael, Michelle, Lindsay, Alex, and Jamie, and 7 great grandchildren, Victoria, Carolina, Elena, Duncan, Brandon, Aidan, and Erin, and their spouses and partners.

Linda leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and unwavering devotion to her family. Her spirit will continue to inspire all who knew her, and her memory will forever be cherished in the hearts of those she touched.

Funeral services are private. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Florinda’s memory to the Pat Roche Hospice House in Hingham, Massachusetts at https://www.croihealth.org/giving/