Obituary of Linda W. Kirkwood

Linda Kirkwood, of Geneseo, New York, passed away Thursday night, January 19th, after a long battle with cancer. Linda is survived by husband, James Kirkwood, sons Ryan, David (Bethany) and Russell (Kathleen) Kirkwood, grandson Finn David Kirkwood, father, George Walton, siblings Kenneth (Renee) Walton, their sons Garret and Gregory, Amy Walton, Christopher (Erin) Walton and their daughter Eleanor. She was a Lecturer Emeritus of Music. Linda retired from the SUNY Geneseo Music Department in September 2011 after thirty-four years of dedicated service teaching viola and chamber music at School of the Arts. A native of Norwalk, Connecticut, she received a Bachelor's Degree from the New England Conservatory, where she studied with Burton Fine, and a Master's degree from Eastman School of Music, where she studied with James Dunham. She studied chamber music with members of the Kolisch, Cleveland, Guarneri and Tokyo quartets. She is a founding member of the Tremont Quartet, SUNY Geneseo, and a member of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra since 1990. She will be remembered for her gift as a loving wife, mother, and friend to all who knew her, and as a wonderful teacher and an extraordinary musician who influenced many generations of student musicians. A Memorial Gathering will take place at the Big Tree Inn, 46 Main St., in Geneseo, NY on Saturday January 28th from 10 am - 12 noon. Memorial donations may be made to Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, 108 East Ave., Rochester, NY 14604.