Linda B. Donovan, 86, wife of the late Stanton Donovan, PhD, passed away Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at the Peregrine Senior Living Facility in Clifton Park, New York. Born on September 6, 1938, in Brooklyn, New York, she was the daughter of the late William and Edna Beuschel. Linda’s family moved to Wiliston, New York and summered in Southold on Long Island, NY.
Linda obtained her Bachelor’s degree from Wagner College on Staten Island, a Master degree in English education; and an MBA from Adelphi University on Long Island. She taught English for thirty years at Jericho Public School on Long Island. Most of that time she also served as Chair of the English Department. She loved and excelled at teaching 7th and 8th grade students.
Linda and her husband Stan lived in Port Washington for many years. After they both retired, their interest in hiking and rappelling brought them to New Paltz, NY where they designed and built a lovely home at the base of the Shawangunk Mountains (the GUNKS). Linda was an active volunteer at the Mohonk Preserve as well as a generous donor. In 2015, she was recipient of the Preserve’s Legacy award. Linda was also involved in the New Paltz community as a Poll Watcher and Chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals for many years.
Linda and Stan were world travelers. After his death, she continued to travel alone or with friends. Every February she spent most of the month on St. John Island of the Virgin Islands in the Caribbean Sea.
In 2014, Linda moved to Shaker Pointe, in Watervliet, NY where she once again became a contributing member of her community. She and another resident began a weekly Philosophy and Religion discussion group. The group was based on the Great Courses series and still meets regularly. Linda was also elected Vice Chair of the Resident Council.
In the Fall of 2019, Linda moved to the Pine Valley Adult Home in Hoosick Falls, NY. Then in the Spring of 2023, she moved to a Peregrine Senior Living Facility in Clifton Park, NY until her recent death.
Linda was a very intelligent, elegant, proud and generous woman. She was a wonderful, faithful friend and will be greatly missed. She is survived by her stepson, Michael Donovan or Virginia, his wife Jennifer and their sons, Avery, Caelan and Omar.
A celebration of Linda’s life will be held in New Paltz and at Shaker Pointe sometime in January. Donations in memory of Linda can be made to the Mohonk Preserve, 3197 Route 44-55, Gardiner, NY 12525: mohawkpreserve.org, (845)255-0919.
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