Linda Lia

1946 - 2023

Lia, Lillian "Linda"
GUILDERLAND - On January 4, 2023, Lillian "Linda" Lia left this world peacefully at home to join her loved ones in Heaven.
Linda was born in Brooklyn on March 1, 1946, to her late parents, Florence and Salvatore Pitruzzella. She was incredibly proud of her parents for the simple but beautiful life they gave her and her older brother Vince (Anne) while growing up in the projects in Red Hook. It was here where Linda met her best friend, Karen VanCott. Linda and Karen would share a special friendship for over 70 years. Karen, our family thanks you for always being there for mom.
While growing up in the city, Linda worked as a telephone operator. For fun, Linda, Karen, and the girls from Red Hook would go out to social clubs. It was at one of these clubs at the age of 18, she would meet the love of her life and less than a year later married her late husband, Bill Lia. Together for the next 55 years, they would build a life that most could only dream of. Linda and Bill moved their family upstate in 1979. While Bill was busy growing his auto business, Linda was hard at work raising their four children.
Linda was an amazing mother to her children, Michael Lia (Susanna), Bill Lia (Miranda), Deborah Simeone (Ralph), and Vincent Lia (Ann); and "Nama" to her 15 grandchildren, Brianna Lia (Jimmy), Vincent Simeone (Vicki), Michael Lia Jr., Ralphy Simeone (Bianca), Mariana Lia (Nick), Alexa Lia, Antonio Lia, Marissa Simeone, Vincent Lia, Billy Lia, Ava Lia, Luca Simeone, Carissa Lia, Anthony Lia, and Roman Lia.
Mom loved spending time with her family. She was always present at school and sporting events, dance recitals, and anything that was important to her children and later her grandchildren. The holidays were a special time for her. She cherished traditions such as decorating Easter eggs, pumpkin carving, and building gingerbread houses, many of which have now been passed down to the next generation. Christmas was special for many reasons. Mom loved to decorate for Christmas, inside you could find the never-ending snow village and 25 stockings hung, but the real show was outside. She was famous for her light display that brought joy to many who would return year after year. The holidays were also a time for mom to show off one of her other passions - cooking. If you were lucky, you would be treated to her famous Arancini (rice balls). Throughout the year, family and friends could often be found at mom's house on Friday nights sharing wine and homemade pizza or enjoying Sunday dinner.
Mom also enjoyed traveling and going out to dinners with family and friends. She always worked hard to take care of herself by going to the gym and staying in touch with the latest fashion trends. She was extremely proud of the life she built together with her family. Mom will be remembered by all who knew her for her kind and caring heart and her unique and special way of making everyone feel welcome and a part of her family.
All are welcome to attend a funeral Mass to be held on Monday, January 9, at 10 a.m. in Christ the King Church, 20 Sumter Ave., Albany. The Mass will be live-streamed on the parish website at ctkparishny.org. Entombment will follow in The Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna. Family and friends are invited to a celebration of life event after the services at 1:30 p.m. at Glen Sanders Mansion, Scotia.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Linda Lia to the American Cancer Society, 1 Penny Ln, Latham, NY, 12110 or by visiting http://tinyurl.com/LindaLia.
To leave a special message for the family visit https://www.newcomeralbany.com.