Linda Joyce Howell Nicoletta passed away at the age of 71 from sudden illness on May 19, 2018 in her hometown, Poughkeepsie, NY, at Vassar Brothers Medical Center. At the time of her passing, she was surrounded and comforted by her family and friends.
Linda is survived by her two children, Christa Nicoletta of Poughkeepsie, NY, and Jared Nicoletta of Hyde Park, NY. She was affectionally known as "Mom" to many of their close friends well past childhood. She is also survived by her two sisters and their families: Judith Bunzey (husband, Laurence Bunzey) of Corinth, NY; daughters – Alison Bunzey, Sarah Bunzey; grandson –Alex. Ellen Camacho (husband, Joseph Camacho) of Fairbanks, AK; daughters – Joelle Allen (husband, James Allen); grandsons – Jonah/Keenan and Laura Neathamer (husband, Cory Neathamer.
Linda was born on March 27, 1947 in Poughkeepsie, NY to loving parents, Frank and Beatrice Howell. She graduated from Kingston Hospital School of Nursing in Kingston, NY and began her 41-year career as a nurse at Vassar Brothers Medical Center. She dedicated her life to serving and caring for others; working the majority of the time with babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. She found this profession rewarding because she felt she was able to make a difference in the lives of others, especially families in her own community.
Linda was a charitable woman who donated to many organizations over the course of her lifetime – including causes dedicated to children, wounded veterans, animals, cancer research, law enforcement … she did it all! She enjoyed traveling – visiting nearly 30 countries/territories spanning over 4 continents, collecting t-shirts and keepsakes from around the globe. She was a well-learned woman who never missed the opportunity to teach her children important life lessons.
She loved to spend time with her family at "The Camp" on Hunt Lake, a summerhouse in the Adirondacks, where she enjoyed swimming, reading, and bird watching. In her younger years, she enjoyed horseback riding and gardening. She was known for growing the most beautiful roses and African Violets. While Linda was a quiet woman, she had a great sense of humor and entertained us all with her love of and interest in TV commercials and her cravings for a well-done "Bloomin' Onion."
A memorial service is scheduled to be held on Monday, May 28, 2018 from 4pm-7pm at Parmele, Auchmoody & Schoonmaker Funeral Home, 110 Fulton Ave., Poughkeepsie with a private reception to follow afterwards.