Linda McFarland Kiszkiel

1946 - 2021

Mystic - Linda McFarland Kiszkiel passed away Nov. 28, 2021, at Mary Elizabeth (Apple Health) Nursing where she had been a resident for several years. Linda was born in Sellersville, Pa., June 4, 1946, the daughter of Katherine Burtnett and Franklin Reiss, both of Landisburg, Pa. At the age of three days, Linda was adopted by her "Mommy and Daddy," Florence and Robert McFarland, and moved to Oakes, Pa.

Linda had a colorful childhood, leaving Oakes, for Zieglerville, where her dad owned and operated the Zieglerville Hotel. Linda had fond memories of bringing her donkey into the tap room and entertaining many celebs, her favorite being Tommy Dorsey. The family later moved to the Mahoning Valley, where Linda attended a one room schoolhouse. Linda's family went on to Orwigsburg, where they owned and operated two restaurants and a gift shop. Linda attended Blue Mountain High School and Moore College of Art in Philadelphia. There, she met and married John "Jack" Gallagher. Together they had three daughters and moved to Groton, and then to Stonington. Linda and her husband soon divorced; and Linda met and married John A. "Jay" Kiszkiel in June of 1983.

Linda was co-owner along with her husband of Greenville Drug Store, a community and long-term care pharmacy services provider located in Norwich. In 1994, President Bill Clinton visited them at the pharmacy to discuss health care initiatives. Linda presented the president with a personally embroidered pharmacy "white coat."

Linda was a very talented, private and extremely independent person. She excelled at watercolors and quilting, but her true passion was for sewing. She designed and created much of her clothing including a wedding gown for one of her daughters. Linda was exceptionally talented in the kitchen and enjoyed creating gastronomic delicacies. Linda also was fascinated with genealogy. After discovering her birth parents and half sisters and brothers, Linda pursued the genealogy of her birth mother and became a highly recognized expert on the Stahlnecker Family.

She and her husband were avid yachtsmen, especially enjoying years of sailing and power boating in New England waters from New York to Maine, with their many friends in The Corinthians, Mason's Island Yacht Club, Nauyaug Cruising Club, Stonington Harbor Yacht Club and New York Yacht Club. Linda was a past member of the Mystic Garden Club, where she especially enjoyed making custom wreaths for the annual greens sale.

In addition to her husband, Jay, Linda is survived by her three daughters, Elizabeth (Robert) Wood, Sarah Gallagher and Mary Ann Gallagher (James Heetman). She is also survived by five grandchildren: Jessica Wood, Benjamin Wood, John Wood, Margaret DeFosse and James Shaw. Furthermore, she is survived by her half sisters, Salli McMillan and Diane Grey; and her half brother Daniel Krall, all of Pennsylvania. She was predeceased by both her adoptive and birth parents; and her half brother Nathan Krall.

I especially extend my gratitude and appreciation to the staff at Mary Elizabeth (Apple Health) in Mystic, for their dedication and care given to Linda during her years of residency.

Services will be private. Donations in Linda's memory may be made to St. Edmund's Retreat at Enders Island, PO Box 399, Mystic, CT 06355 or the Alzheimer's Association.