Obituary of Linda N. Albanese
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Linda Nykaza Albanese, 70, passed away peacefully on January 20, 2025, holding hands with her two sons as they all watched the sunrise together.
Born November 29, 1954, to Barbara and Joseph Nykaza, Linda grew up in a warm and deeply loving family with her older brother Leonard (married to Susan) and younger sisters Carol and Susan (married to Edmund).
Even as a child, Linda had a reverence for nature. She recounted fond memories of building "houses" to shelter the frogs in a nearby lake on hot summer days. As a teenager, she was happiest outdoors, often barefoot outside to soak in as much sun and feel as much grass between her toes as possible.
She loved to dance. Anyone who knew her in her disco era could confirm that Linda would light up the dance floor. Later in life, she would frequently remind her children that they had inherited their rhythm from her. This claim went unquestioned from the very beginning, since Linda met the love of her life, her adoring husband of 45 years, Lou, at the old dance club by Penfield Beach; she forced him to learn how to dance before letting him date her.
Linda and Lou were married in August of 1979, and cultivated a wonderful, flourishing life together. They traveled widely – from the Cayman Islands, to Lou's homeland in Italy, to New Zealand – and just about everywhere in between. Linda and Lou collected countless close friends along the way. In Fairfield, CT they built a beautiful brick home together, a space created with family and hospitality at its heart.
Professionally, after mastering out of a doctorate program in psychiatric rehabilitation, Linda worked a first career as a social worker for 11 years, helping to reintegrate adults with mental illness into the community. In 1987, she started a new chapter of giving by trading psychiatric social work for a new vocation and her greatest joy: motherhood.
She was an extraordinary and devoted mother to her two sons, Louis II and Christopher. Further, Linda gave a mother's love as "Auntie" to her many nieces and nephews – Lindsay, Nicole, Christine, Ashlyn, Gabrielle, Annette, Gina, Michael, and Jack – and their many children – Connor, Madison, Roc, Geordan, Anthony, Eloise, Micah, Paityn, Logan, Hadleigh, Cooper, and Sonny.
Linda was a passionate gardener, planting thriving gardenscapes around her home. Her green thumb inspired yet another chapter in her giving later in life when she became a mentor, board member, distinguished volunteer, and friend of over 20 years at the Bartlett Arboretum in Stamford, CT. A memorial herb garden is dedicated in her name there, ensuring her legacy continues to grow.
Linda's life was defined by giving—to her family, her community, and everyone fortunate enough to know her. Her spirit lives on in the many lives she touched and the cherished memories she gave us.
Relatives and friends can greet family members at a memorial gathering celebrating her life on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at St. Lukes Church at 11:00 am in Westport. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery in Fairfield.
Those desiring may make memorial contributions to The Bartlett Arboretum (https://bartlettarboretum.networkforgood.com) in memory of Linda and her legacy of gardening and giving.
For travel directions, or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.LeskoFuneralHome.com.