Obituary of Linda H. Cherry

     Linda H. Cherry, 80, passed away May 1, 2022, peacefully at home, surrounded by family, after a long, courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease.  Linda was born in Buffalo, N.Y. on February 6, 1942  She was the daughter of the late Jennie J. Holtyn and Bernard Holtyn of Depew N. Y.  Linda enjoyed family, teaching children, volunteering, miles-long daily walks along the Mohawk trails with her ever-present dogs, and playing bocce.  Born to teach, after graduating from Pine Hill High School, Cheektowaga, New York, Linda graduated from Buffalo State Teachers College, Buffalo, New York. Immediately after graduation, she accepted a teaching position in Spenard, Alaska. Her teaching experience there was punctuated by the Great Alaskan Earthquake of 1964, the second most powerful earthquake recorded in world history. While she and her colleagues were not injured, their community, apartment and school were heavily damaged. 

     Linda returned to Western New York and continued her teaching career at Saints Peter and Paul school in Williamsville, NY.  After moving to the Capital District in 1982, Linda taught at the elementary level and at pre-school programs in Clifton Park and Scotia NY. 

     Linda is survived by her beloved husband of 56 years, William A. Cherry, Jr., and their children, daughter Leslie (Kenneth) Kramer, and sons Christopher W. Cherry and Scott A. (Ruth) Cherry; her brother, Ralph T. (Eva) Holtyn, and brother-in-law Richard A. (Susan) Cherry.     Family also includes grandchildren, Justin (Katie) Bushey, Andrew Cherry and their mother Kristen Cherry, Elliot Kramer and Marcus Cherry, great-grandson Lincoln Bushey, as well as Niece Kimberly Holtyn and her children Nadine and Nicholas (Katie) Beauharnois, and Nephew Erik Holtyn and his son Christopher. 

     The family would like to thank and recognize all those who assisted us along this journey, especially Linda's loving caregivers Stephanie Durant, Chichiwadi Sudat, and Mina Seepersaud, as well as the staff of Saratoga Hospice, especially Dr. John Pezzulo and his team. 

     Memorial mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday May 13th. at 11:00 am at St. Edward the Confessor Church, 569 Clifton Park Center Road Clifton Park, NY 12065.  Interment will follow in the Jonesville Cemetery.

     Arrangements have been entrusted by the family to  the Gordon C. Emerick Funeral Home, 1550 Rt. 9 Clifton Park, NY  12065.

     In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Linda's memory to the Michael J. Fox Foundation at https://www.michaeljfox.org/tribute