Linda Susan Marchini

Mahopac – Linda Susan Marchini was born June 26, 1952 at Westchester Square Hospital, Bronx, NY. She was the only child of Aldo Peter Marchini and Ines Rose Scagnelli.  Aldo was born in Borg oval de Taro, Parma, Italy on December 6, 1926 and died March 2003.  Ines was born in Casali di Pradovera, Farini D’Olmo, on September 11, 1929 and died December 25, 2004.  After the death of her parents Linda lived with her guardians, her maternal uncle and his wife Carlo & Bette Scagnelli, Rhinebeck. On August 1, 2016, Linda moved into a group home operated by Hudson Valley Cerebral Palsy in Carmel, NY where she passed away December 26th.

Linda lived her early childhood in New York City spending much of her time with her maternal grandparents, Giuseppe & Margherita Scagnelli and her paternal grandmother Maria Marchini, who predeceased her.  IN 1957, her parents moved to Chelsea Rd., Wappingers Falls, where Linda would spend the next 50 years of her life, until the death of her mother on Christmas day 2004.  Those years were filled with singing and dancing to classic rock & roll played on her own Wurlitzer jukebox, and to traveling with her mom and dad.   Her favorite groups were the Monkees and the Supremes but she knew the words and the moves to most of the golden oldies.  More travelled than most, Linda visited Hawaii, Mexico, Cancun, the Florida Keys, Disneyworld and too many cruises to mention though she particularly loved the ‘chocolate cruise’.

Linda was diagnosed early in her childhood with Down Syndrome and mental retardation which at the time of her birth provided little hope for a worthwhile life.  The move from New York to Wappingers enabled her to attend a new concept in learning for the retarded, The Little Red Schoolhouse located on Hooker Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY, and founded by Catherine Seeberger.  After completing the requirements there, Linda went on to complete further training at BOCES on Salt Point Rd., graduating in 1977.  Immediately thereafter, Linda was among the first employees of the Dutchess County ARC Sheltered Workshop, then located in the Grange Hall in Freedom Plains, founded through the efforts of Mrs. Seeberger and a group of dedicated parents including Linda’s mother Ines.

In her 37 years at the Workshop Linda worked primarily in the mailroom both within the workshop and at the Independent Merchants Press in the Apple Valley Shopping Center.  She received several on-the-job longevity and performance awards including the 10, 15, 25 and 35 years awards.  She participated in the Special Olympics athletics and won several medals.  She was active for several years in the Girl Scouts in a troop led by Mrs. Haroldine Keeler.  After her move to Rhinebeck, Linda took up horseback riding, lately at Hidden Hollow Riding Center, Red Hook, NY.  She took part in several Special Olympics Equestrian events wining 3 gold and 2 silver medals.

In addition to her uncle and aunt, Linda is survived by first cousins Christine Gallagher of Wappingers Falls, NY and her husband Kevin, Deborah Marchini of Port Washington, NY and her husband;  Scott Marchini of Calverton, NY and his wife, Kellea Scagnelli, Danny Scagnelli and his wife ; and numerous second and third cousins.

Calling hours will be Tuesday, January 2, 2018, 9:00 to 11:00 AM, at the Linwood Spiritual Center; A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM.  Private Interment will be at Fishkill Rural Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Saint Mary, Mother of the Church, Fishkill, NY; Linwood Spiritual Center, Rhinebeck, NY; Good Shepherd Church, Rhinebeck, NY; or Hudson Valley Cerebral Palsy, Brewster, NY.

To sign the online register please visit dapsonchestney.com 

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