Linda T. Matlock

Glass Lake-Linda T. Matlock, 80, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, September 12, 2026, with her husband by her bedside.

After a summer of bravely facing the struggles of Parkinson’s Disease, in and out of the hospital and nursing home, Linda spent the last month of her life at home with her loving family. Her return to the home where she had lived since 1980 was made possible by the aid of the Community Hospice and the assistance of a band of skilled and compassionate caregivers. Bless them all for their efforts.

Linda grew up in the Glass Lake community of Averill Park and attended local schools. Then she pursued her dreams at the University of Rochester and SUNY Albany where she earned a Ph.D in astronomy. Marrying Charles in 1972, Linda moved with him to Mobile, Alabama where they resided until their relocation to Averill Park in 1980.

During the years in Alabama, Linda taught advanced placement physics at St Paul’s Episcopal School while also working as a subcontractor for a variety of companies and institutions as a software developer. Once back in New York, Linda continued working as a software engineer, notably for Factron, a Schlumberger company and the short lived Vacation Previews. Then Linda joined the Physics Department at HVCC as an adjunct faculty member during the nineties and early 2000’s.

During her lifetime Linda had many interests. She loved art and music. The part time status at Hudson Valley allowed her ample time to spend painting and drawing, also time to play the piano and harmonica. Linda fondly remembered taking a piano course at the Eastman School of Music during her time at Rochester. Linda also wrote poetry, fiction, and music.

From childhood until her recent decline Linda enjoyed sports and physical activity. Baseball, basketball, swimming, sledding, boating, biking, tennis, and golf were her passions. From 2012 to 2020, Linda and her husband spent January through March in Hilton Head Island where she continued with tennis and particularly golf. She had an involvement with running, both as an official and runner. In her Alabama days she was chosen as the adult female runner of the year by the Mobile Track and Field Association in 1976. Early in her disease she joined other Parkinson’s patients in aerobic boxing at Schott’s Boxing in Albany.

Linda was pre deceased by her parents, Harold and Alice (Lee) Tifft; her brother Lee and her sister Diane. She is survived by her husband, Charles; her sister Cyndi (Art) Herman; her sisters-in-law Mary Jane Tifft and Kate (Michael) Renner; also by her beloved nieces and their wonderful children.

Linda’s kindness and smiles will be missed and fondly remembered by her family and friends.

A farewell to Linda will be held privately.