Linda Margaret Donohue

Linda Donohue’s life was shaped by her faith in God, her love of America, and her devotion to her family. With 47 years in the airline industry, Linda understood life has delays, detours, and turbulence but also its surprises and joys. Through it all, she embraced the adventure, always ready for the next destination.

Linda died January 28, 2025, after a year of battling cancer. She was 77 years old. She is predeceased by her beloved husband Denis, her parents Theodore and Catherine, her brother Ronald, and many dear friends who were like family to her. She is survived by her sons Christopher (Keri) and Denis, and her three grandchildren, Molly, Matthew, and Mary. She is also survived by her three sisters, her brother, nieces and nephews, and many others whom she considered family and supported her throughout her life.

Linda was born in Corona, New York on July 11, 1947, and lived most of her life in nearby Flushing. As the oldest of six children, she learned how to navigate and help manage the chaos of eight people living in a house with one bathroom, a skill that would later serve her well in her career. After graduating from Flushing High School in 1965, she began working for American Airlines at a time when air travel was still an exotic novelty. The world was now wide open to her, and she and the world would never be the same. With the ability to fly standby, she explored life outside Flushing. The world also came to her through various American Airlines gates at Kennedy Airport, where she met different types of people from different walks of life. Being a gate agent was a lot like being a big sister or a mom. Sometimes, it called for patience and understanding. Other times, it meant punishing bratty behavior. Often, it was a bit of both. But she always loved helping people get to where they wanted to go, hopefully with a first-class upgrade or at least a roomier seat or a bottle of champagne.

But the best and most impactful part of her job wasn’t the trips she took or the places she had seen - it was in the people she met, both employees and passengers, who became friends and family and whom she loved dearly. Her husband Denis was at the top of the list. Although their time together was too short, it was one filled with love and laughter, family trips, and life lessons for their kids. When he died, she put aside her grief and made sure her boys carried on and always encouraged them to seek the best within themselves.

After years of being part of a trio, she adjusted (somewhat) to having a daughter-in-law. When her grandchildren arrived, her spirit was rejuvenated, helping her focus through her first battle with breast cancer. As Grandma, she loved dressing up to go trick-or-treating, taking them to the park, and buying them lots of unnecessary things. She also became “Grandma Linda” to an extended family of her grandkid’s cousins and friends.

She loved to write, and many of you reading this probably received a card from her at some point. She sent cards for every holiday and occasion, religious or secular. She sent them to congratulate you when you were riding high on success and, more importantly, when you were down and needed someone to tell you to keep going when you thought you couldn’t.

Linda’s life was also guided by her faith and her love of country. She found great strength in prayer and devotion to Jesus. Linda also loved visiting various churches, whether locally or in her travels. Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve at the Vatican in 2010 was a special blessing for her. When things went well for her, she would always say “Thank You Jesus” or just “TYJ” if she was texting. Her father and brothers were all Marines, and she made their motto “Semper Fidelis,” (Always Faithful) her own. You could often see her wearing red, white, and blue, especially her favorite American flag sweater. She also took the “First to Fight,” line from the Marine’s Hymn as a model for how to deal with life.

And the last few years of her life were certainly the toughest fight of all. Chemotherapy, radiation, operations, and various hospital stays all took their toll, physically and mentally. But throughout it all, she continued to fight, and never considered giving up. Even when doctors told her she didn’t have to do a last round of radiation, she insisted she would carry through. Despite the challenges of the last year, last month, last day, and last hour, Linda’s toughness shined through, as it did her entire life. She always understood that her family, faith, and country were worth fighting for.

So now it’s our turn to say, “Thank you, Jesus” (or TYJ if you’re texting). Thank you for giving us the right mom, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend to show us the way. Her final journey is going to be the best of all. First Class all the way.

A viewing will be held on Monday, February 3, 2025, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Quinn-Fogarty Funeral Home, 192-15 Northern Boulevard, Flushing, NY 11358. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on February 4, 2025, at Saint Mel’s, 26-15 154th Street, Flushing, NY 11354 at 10:45 am. Interment will be at Mount Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Flushing, where she will be reunited with the love of her life, her husband Denis. In place of flowers, donations can be sent to Calvary Hospital (https://fund.calvaryhospital.org/ways-to-give/).

Rest in peace, dear Linda. You will be missed.