Linda was born in Norwich on October 15, 1941 the daughter of Edward and Naomi (Sprague) Dempsey. She grew up in Norwich and was a 1959 graduate of the Norwich High School. She continued her education by attending Robert Packer School of Nursing where she earned her RN degree. Linda remained at the Robert Packer hospital where she worked for about a year as an RN. She then gained employment with the VA Hospital in Syracuse where she remained for about 2 years. At this point of her life Linda married Gary Cate on June 4, 1966 in St. Paul’s Church. She then gained employment with Chenango Memorial Hospital working in the new intensive care/ coronary care unit under the direction of Dr. Phil Aronson. Upon the birth of her first child, Linda decided to leave the hospital and become a stay at home mom.
Linda was devoted to her church, St. Paul’s, and eventually worked as sacristan during the time Fr. Francis Young. She was also involved with local blood drives.
Linda is survived by her husband Gary of Norwich, her daughters Susan Cate of Syracuse and Karen (Willie) Leiva of Lancaster, PA, her siblings Melissa Cleveland of Sherburne, Donna (Dennis) Swartout of Edmeston, Martha March of Illion and Steven (Patricia) Dempsey of Oxford. Also surviving are 7 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Linda was predeceased by her brothers Terrance and Daniel Dempsey.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Linda will be held on Friday, December 6, at 10:30 am from St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church. The Rev. Ralph A. Bove, Pastor will officiate. Interment will be at a later date in St. Paul’s Cemetery.
Friends may call at the R.J.Fahy Funeral Home on Thursday from 5-7 pm.
Please consider memorial contributions to the Norwich Firefighters Association, PO Box 147, Norwich, NY 13815 or to St. Paul’s Church, 30 Pleasant St., Norwich, NY 13815.
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