Linda M. Schmidt, 67, passed away peacefully on September 24, 2016 at Mercy House in Endicott, after a five-year battle with cancer. She is survived by her loving husband of 44 years, Jerome, son Paul (Jenna) Schmidt of Oakland, CA, daughter Ellen Pavlak and granddaughter Abigail of Trinity, FL, parents Johann and Maria Albert of Palm Coast, FL, sister Rita Albert of Little Neck, NY, brother Walter (Edith) Albert of Fredericksburg, VA, nephew Richard (Nadine) Albert of Tampa, FL and their daughter, Jennifer, nephew Thomas (Heather) Albert of Fairfax Station, VA and their sons Tyler and Chase, and niece Christine (Derek) Reid of Yorktown Heights, NY and their sons Cole and Ewan. Linda and Jerry met in the Glee Club at St. John’s University on Long Island. Linda graduated magna cum laude with a degree in education, three years after Jerry graduated with a degree in science. They married in 1972 after Jerry graduated from Georgetown University School of Dentistry, and one year later moved to Endicott, NY, then to Endwell, NY. Linda became involved in many volunteer activities during her residence in Endwell. These include teaching religious education, working (for 25 years) on puppet shows for the bazaar at Our Lady of Angels Church (now Church of the Holy Family), working with the Human Development Ministry, serving as Eucharistic minister and adult funeral server. She was active in the Faith in Action visitation program, which was a wonderful way to get to know some delightful senior citizens. Linda also spent many years as a volunteer counselor with Birthright, a pro-life agency. She sang in the soprano section of the Endwell Community Chorus, and it was her enthusiasm for this type of choral singing that prompted Jerry to join the chorus in 2012. So they met singing together and fittingly, spent their last few years singing together as well. Linda and Jerry enjoyed tennis when they were young, and at times were fierce competitors. Later in life they became each other’s favorite golfing buddy, and enjoyed the outdoors and the lovely vistas that our local golf courses offer. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Joseph Readling for his kind and caring treatment for the past five years, and to the wonderful staff of Mercy House for their loving care of Linda in her last days. Linda often spoke about how her life was blessed, being touched by so many wonderful people, her family and close friends. Her smile would brighten a room, her laughter could be recognized in a full auditorium and her caring ways have endeared her to all. Without Linda so many will now have an empty space in their lives.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday 10 am at Church of the Holy Family, 3600 Phyllis Street, Endwell. Entombment will be in Riverhurst Cemetery, Endicott at the convenience of the family. The family will receive friends at the Allen Memorial Home Friday from 4-7 pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Mercy House of the Southern Tier, 212 North McKinley Avenue, Endicott, NY 13760.