Linda Sue French

Linda Sue French

AVOCA- Linda Sue French, 69, passed away suddenly on Wednesday (Feb. 3, 2021). Linda was born in Greenbelt, Maryland and worked for the Fairfax County, VA School System for 27 years. Upon her retirement in 2008, she moved to Avoca, N.Y.

Linda was an advocate for animal rights, whether wild or domesticated. She had made several trips to Kanab, Utah to Best Friends Animal Society, a nonprofit that does outreach nationwide with shelters, rescue groups and members to promote pet adoption, no-kill animal rescue, and spay-and-neuter practices. She volunteered there rather than taking a vacation. Locally, she was a steadfast volunteer at The Finger Lakes SPCA in Bath, N.Y., where she socialized cats and visited local schools to educate children about responsible pet care.

A gentle soul, her love of nature was evident even when inside her home. You were surrounded by organic art. She loved to feed the birds and watch them as the migratory birds would return each spring. When in Virginia, she worked as an assistant to a renown raptor rehabilitator. She was a hiker and a gardener and a protector of the earth.

Linda is survived by her brothers, Ron French; his sons, Chris and Jon; James (Melita) French and son, Zachary; her sisters, Laura Liddell; her son, Ian; Carolyn “Amy” (Roger) Stribling. Her fur babies, Meadow, Lacey, Charlie, Squeakers, Delilah, and Keta; and many, many friends with whom she diligently kept in touch.

To honor Linda’s memory, donations may be made to the Finger Lakes SPCA, 72 Cameron St., Bath N.Y. 14810 or Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, Utah 84741.

A gathering will be held at a later date in warmer weather to celebrate Linda’s life.

The Avoca Funeral Home, 22 N. Main St., Avoca is honored to assist Linda’s family with the arrangements.

Online condolences or remembrances of Linda are welcomed on the Facebook page of Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc.