Obituary of Linda T. Scotty

Linda T. Scotty, 71, of Lakewood, passed away Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at UPMC Hamot in Erie, Pa., surrounded by family. She was born in Jamestown on November 8, 1951, a daughter of the late Arthur E. and Betty Erickson Thomas. Linda was a 1969 graduate of Jamestown High School. She then earned her Associate degree at Jamestown Community College, and Bachelor of Arts as well as Master of Science in Education from SUNY Fredonia. For many years, Linda was a teacher at Panama Central School, retiring in the fall of 2020. She previously taught at Room-To-Grow Preschool as her own children were growing up. Her love of teaching children was always first and foremost. A symbolic "hold my hand" would guide them and all of us along. Linda was a true lifelong learner, including working on her Spanish and American Sign Language skills. She was an avid reader, enjoyed Sudoku puzzles, and possessed a brilliant mind full of knowledge and trivia. She was a true Jeopardy fan, playing the game at home by her rules, where she answered every question and nearly always made it to Final Jeopardy. She enjoyed a range of music and had a knack for naming that tune in 3 notes or fewer. She liked attending concerts with her husband. Her travels took her to visit New Zealand, Canada, Puerto Rico and numerous trips to Disney with family. A passion for gardening kept her busy all summer. You might find her on a walk or talking with a neighbor, always a smile on her face. She enjoyed volunteering at the Lakewood Memorial Library. She was a 40+ year member of Lakewood Women's Club and its book group, as well as a retired member of NYSUT. Linda had a warm heart and an unwavering attempt to ensure that everyone else was comfortable before herself. She was a thinker and a worrier and a caretaker. If something was important to her family or friend, it then was important to her. Family was everything to Linda, adoring her 4 grandchildren as well as many years of family celebrations. She showed a keen interest in their activities, researching anything she didn't already know. Linda is survived by her husband of 50 years, Dennis J. Scotty, whom she married in Bethel Lutheran Church on August 12, 1972; two daughters, Melissa (Brian) LeVesque of Rochester and Christie (Jeffrey) Totten of Portland, OR; four grandchildren, Erin and Sara LeVesque, and Evan and Benjamin Totten; a sister, Ann Thomas of Jamestown; and two sisters-in-law, Diana Scotty and Lucia Scotty, both of Olean. Friends will be received from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday in the Lind Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Lind's. The Rev. Timothy Hoyer will officiate. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery in Allegany, NY. Memorials may be made to the Lakewood Memorial Library, St. Susan Center, or to a charity of choice.