Linda J. Lovell

Linda J. Lovell,

beloved wife, mother, daughter and sister

HINSDALE - Linda Jane Lovell passed away suddenly at home on Saturday (Aug. 5, 2023).

Linda was born April 25, 1963, in Olean, and was a lifelong area resident.

At the age of 17, she began working for Koeppel's hobby shop in Olean. She worked at Computer Experience from 1983-1985, where she met her husband of 36 years. She married Perry R. Lovell on July 18, 1987, with whom she spent the rest of her life.

From 1985 to 1986, she worked as an administrative assistant at Blumenthal's of Bradford. After a brief period in the office at Eade's Distributing in the summer of 1986, she was hired as a computer coordinator for Franklinville Central School until 1988.

Throughout her early adult life, she would spend the fall working as time permitted at her family's Cider Mill in Portville until they sold it in 1989. Linda was an assistant manager at Manos Theater in the Olean Center Mall from 1988-1990, when the first of her two children was born. She began working again in 1994 as the manager of The Castle Cinemas for the next 10 years.

She was elected Hinsdale Town Justice in 2001 and served two four-year terms. In 2011, she joined the Cattaraugus County Public Defender's Office, where she proceeded to work until her passing.

Linda was a captivating speaker, as all who knew her could attest. She taught cooking classes and was a Lay Leader at Christ United Methodist Church for many years. She was a Camp Fire Leader and was active in her children's many school activities.

She received her bachelor's degree through the PACE program at Jamestown Community College and Houghton College in 2007. She attended the University of Buffalo School of Law, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with her Juris Doctorate in 2010, and again with her Master of Laws, Criminal Law Degree in 2011. During her time in law school, Linda was active with the service fraternity, Phi Alpha Delta. She was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2011. Linda was a member of the Cattaraugus County Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association.

She performed countless marriages during her time as a judge and throughout her career after. She was on the Parental Representation Advisory Committee for the New York State Office of Indigent Legal Services and was a tireless fighter and believer in justice.

Linda was an amazing wife and mother, a wonderful friend and an incredible support for all who knew her. She will never stop being missed, and she is so loved.

Linda is survived by her loving husband, Perry; her children, Brian and Kylene; her mother, Virginia A. Keller Cummins; her sister, Joanne L. Cummins Lipka; her brothers, Larry (Paula) D. Oakley Jr. and Jerry D. Oakley; and her many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Linda was preceded in death by her father, Larry D. Oakley Sr.; and her grandparents, Charles and Janet Faulkner Keller, who all had an incredible impact on her life.

Friends will be received from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday (Aug. 11, 2023) at the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 646 E. State St., and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday (Aug. 12, 2023), at which time a funeral service will be held.

Donations may be made in Linda's name to the Hinsdale Maplehurst and Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Department, 3832 Church St, Hinsdale, NY 14743.

Online condolences may be made at www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com.