Linda (Goldsmith) Schoonmaker, 83, of Montgomery, passed away peacefully on October 23, 2024.
A lifelong resident of the area, Linda was born to Ralph and Elizabeth Goldsmith on November 14, 1940 in Goshen. She spent her childhood in Walden and then her later teen years in Montgomery, where she met “the boy next door,” Glenn Schoonmaker. The high school sweethearts were married 1958. They had three daughters, Barbara Lynn, Helen Edith (who was stillborn), and Karen Leslie. Linda and Glenn celebrated 66 happy years of marriage in August.
Graduating from Walden High School in 1958, Linda's school years were full of extracurricular activities. She spent the early years of her career in various secretarial positions. After filling in as a dental assistant, she spent two years at BOCES as an instructor in their Dental Assisting Program. When she and Glenn purchased a trucking company early on, one of the best trucks was named the “Linda Mae.” In 1975, Linda was hired by Orange County Community College as Division Secretary for the Biological and Health Sciences Department. After 20 years of service, Linda retired from the college in 1995.
In retirement, Linda & Glenn enjoyed spending each winter in North Palm Beach, FL and traveling both in the US and internationally, many times accompanied by their grandchildren.
You could say that Linda was a shopper extraordinaire. She loved going with Glenn to yard sales and her favorite consignment and thrift shops, well into her retirement years, and was always proud of the great bargains she found!
A devoted wife and mother, Linda was deeply dedicated to God, her family, and community. Both she and Glenn were active members of First Presbyterian Church in Montgomery (where they could be found singing in the choir) as well as First Presbyterian Church in North Palm Beach during the winter months.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Elizabeth (Seipel) Goldsmith, brothers Richard Goldsmith and Robert Goldsmith.
Linda is survived by her beloved husband Glenn at home, her daughters Barbara Sutton (Guy) in Pennsylvania and Karen Stark (Scott) in Tennessee, her grandchildren Michelle Cooney (Todd, and great-grandson Max) in New Jersey, James Sambets (Michelle Collins, and great-grandson Xavier) in Tennessee, and Allen Stark, also in Tennessee. She is also survived by her sister, Joan Goad in Florida, her brother, Ronald Goldsmith (Dorothy) in Georgia, and numerous loving in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Friends and family may visit on Thursday, November 7 from 5-8 p.m. at Millspaugh Funeral Home, 22 Bank St, Walden, NY 12586. A memorial service will be held on Friday, November 8 at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Montgomery, 137 Clinton St, Montgomery, NY 12549.
It was Linda's wish that any memorial tributes be made in the form of charitable donations to First Presbyterian Church of Montgomery, NY and Hospice of Orange & Rockland Counties.
Arrangements were made by Millspaugh Funeral Directors.
For directions or condolences please visit millspaughfuneralhome.com