Linda Oldham

Linda H. Oldham

Hopewell Junction - On Monday, September 12, 2011, at age 70, God called Linda H. Oldham after a two-year long battle with cancer and as her obedience training friends might say, she performed a perfect recall. Linda was born in the Bronx, NY, on June 18, 1941 to the late Pentti K. & Sylvia M. (Maki) Heikkila. She grew up primarily in the Bronx, NY, and spent her summer vacations as a child with her parents and grandparents in the Finnish community of Camp Lomala. She was a graduate of Walton High School, Bronx, NY. On October 28, 1961, at The Church of the Mediator, Bronx, NY, she married George B. Oldham, who survives at home. In 1971, Linda and George and their two daughters moved permanently to Lomala, where they continued to live and raise their family. Linda was a long-time member of the Lomala Civic Association, where she held the position of Vice President and spent many years as Secretary. Outside of her family, as most anyone who knew her was aware, Linda's main passion was animals - horses, dogs and cats. She spent over 35 years raising and training Labrador Retrievers. Over the years, she held membership in various Kennel Clubs and was granted a Life Membership in the Labrador Retriever Club of the Potomac (MD). Her hobby allowed her to do a lot of traveling both domestically and abroad. She received her Judging license from the American Kennel Club with approval for various breeds, including, of course, the Labrador Retriever. Up until her death, Linda held a seat on the Board of Directors of the National Labrador Retriever Club, Inc.

In addition to her husband, George, Linda is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Neil Daley of Hopewell Junction, NY.

Linda was, in addition to her parents, predeceased by her daughter, Robin Oldham-Tanner (2003), her sister, Ellen D'Agostino (1974) and her niece, Laura Haegele (2011).

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2011 at 11 a.m. at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 110 Overlook Road, Poughkeepsie, NY, with The Reverend Robert F. Browning, Jr., officiating. Burial will follow at the Rombout Cemetery, Fishkill, NY.

To send condolences to Linda's immediate family, please mail them: c/o P.O. Box 117, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533. In lieu of flowers, Linda requested donations be made in her memory either to Old Friends, 411 Mill Road Place, Midway, KY 40347, to benefit retired race horses, Dutchess County SPCA, 568 Violet Avenue, Hyde Park, NY 12538 or any other charity of one's choice.

Linda's family wishes to especially thank Dr. Rachamalla, Marcy and Christine of Dutchess Hematology at the Dyson Center for Cancer Care; at Vassar Brothers Medical Center: Drs. Apenteng and E. Lee, who always made her feel more comfortable with their compassion and honesty; and at the end, Colleen Damon and Dawn J., R.N. of the Oncology Care Unit. From Mid-Hudson Medical Group, we want to thank Dr. Rona Heublum, Tiffany, Dr. Needleman, Cindy Shoemaker, and Dr. M. Choudhury, for their care, kindness and understanding, to not only Linda throughout her illnesses, but to her family.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Robert H. Auchmoody Funeral Home, 1028 Main Street, Fishkill, NY. To send the family an online condolence, please visit www.hudsonvalleyfuneralhomes.com