Linda Claire (Nystrom) Whitney

Linda Claire (Nystrom) Whitney, 85 of East Longmeadow, passed peacefully on Monday, May 2, 2022. She passed into her eternal life at CARE One Redstone Nursing facility of East Longmeadow, in the comfort of her family members. Linda was born and raised in East Longmeadow, on February 20, 1937 a daughter of the late Anslem and Beatrice (Lavalley) Nystrom and attended Technical High School in Springfield where she met and married her late husband, Richard Paul Whitney. A dedicated wife and mother of four, Linda raised her family and later her grandchildren while working for the City Springfield School Department. After many years of service, Linda earned Badge # 1, as a bus monitor, dedicating and believing that all children should be safe and have equal opportunities. Linda was a former communicant of Holy Cross Church in Springfield while raising her children, and more recently of St. Michaels Parish of East Longmeadow. She leaves her four loving children, Brenda Smith and her husband Larry of Baldwinville, MA, Karen A. Whitney and her husband Ric Connery of Springfield, Richard R. Whitney and his wife Maryanne of Springfield, Diane S.Talbot and her husband Donald of Keene, NH; her brother, Richard Nystrom and his wife Nancy of Ludlow;   eight grandchildren, Shawn, Nicholas, Marie, Elise, Stephanie, Phillip, Sam Whitney and his longtime companion Brittany, and Sarah Whitney and her companion Joe; as well as six great- grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews on both the Nystrom and Whitney side of the families. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Richard Paul “Rit” Whitney; her grandson, Danny Chechile; her sister, Norma Festa along with her husband Vinnie; her brothers, John Nystrom and his wife Carol, and Victor Nystrom and his wife Fannie; numerous other extended members of the Whitney family; and lastly her four legged companion and best friend “Barney,” the Bassett Hound. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at 10:30 AM meeting directly at St. Michael’s Church, 123 Maple Street, with Rites of Committal to follow at Greenlawn Cemetery, both in East Longmeadow. In lieu of flowers, donations in Linda’s name may be directed to the Dakin Humane Society, 171 Union Street, Springfield, MA 01105. Contributions in her name may be directed to the charity of one’s choice.