Elaine W. Linton, age 96, died peacefully at her ancestral home on September 9, 2025. Daughter of the late John and Rachel Webster, she raised six children with her late husband, Jack. Predeceased by children John, Henry, and Deborah, she is survived by Ruth, Andrew, and Matthew, as well as grandchildren, great-grandchildren, her sisters Elizabeth and Penny, and a great host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
The matriarch of Delaware’s Highland Orchards, home of the Webster family since 1832, Elaine was known for her business acumen and love of flowers. A long-time member of St Paul’s UMC, Elaine was a valued contributor to handbell and vocal choirs, and a founding member of Ugly Quilts, where she made sleeping bags for Friendship House to distribute. A lifelong musician, Elaine performed with her late sisters Barbara and Joanne in The Webster Trio, was a piano major at U. Penn, accompanied many church choirs and her grandchildren when possible. In her later years, she loved reading (8 books/week), cutting and arranging flowers, baking, watching Jeopardy, and visiting with family.
A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1314 Foulk Rd., Wilm., DE 19803, on Sat., Oct. 4, 11 am. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Friendship House, www.friendshiphousede.org.
