Obituary of Linda J. Tompkins

Linda J. (Wolff) Tompkins 

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Linda J. Tompkins, who sadly left us on February 28, 2025, at the age of 63. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend whose kindness, wisdom, and love of learning enriched the lives of everyone who knew her. Linda is survived by her husband, Tony Vecchiotti; her rescue dog Cooper; her children, Danielle Tompkins (Greg Peduzzi) and Curtis Tompkins (Leigha Decker); and her cherished grandchildren, Penelope Peduzzi, Madeline Peduzzi, Parker Tompkins, Sophia Vincenec, Olivia Tompkins and Lucia Tompkins. She also leaves behind her mother, Barbara Sodano; her sister, Lisa (Eric) Campbell; her brother, Paul (Renee) Wolff; and her stepchildren, Jeffrey (Julia) Tompkins, Julianna Vecchiotti (Matt Sheffler), Anthony Vecchiotti, and Vico Vecchiotti. She was predeceased by her father, Paul Wolff.

Linda always loved making new friends and living life to its fullest. She dedicated her life to education and environmental stewardship. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Interdisciplinary Science from Eisenhower College in May 1983. Her love of teaching led her to pursue a Master’s degree in Secondary Science Education at Elmira College and later expanded her expertise in natural sciences by earning another Master’s degree in Natural Resources from Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Linda was a PhD candidate at Binghamton University from 2013 to 2016, focusing on gender disparity in the completion of engineering PhDs. Her research reflected her deep commitment to advancing equity and inclusion in scientific fields. 

Linda’s career in education began in Seneca Falls as a Director in Creative Choices, a daycare that her daughter attended. In 1993, she joined Mynderse Academy, where she taught high school biology for the next ten years. Her dedication and leadership led to her serving as Science Department Chair for seven of those years. 

She later transitioned into higher education, first serving as an Educational Programs Specialist in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University. She then became the Associate Director of Engineering Learning Initiatives, where she played a key role in supporting engineering students and fostering inclusive learning environments. In addition, she was a facilitator for LeaderShape, Inc. for several years, inspiring young leaders to develop their vision and confidence.  After years of dedicated service, Linda retired early in 2016, leaving behind a legacy of mentorship, leadership, and commitment to student success.

In 2017, Linda was diagnosed with corticobasal syndrome, a rare neurodegenerative disease. Though the condition gradually impacted her movement and speech, she faced each challenge with the same resilience, determination, and grace that defined her life. She continued to inspire those around her, demonstrating unwavering strength, curiosity, and a deep love for the people and causes she cared about. Through three different clinical trials, she took advantage of any possibility of slowing down the progression of her illness, while also contributing to important research for treatments, including Kisunla, which is already helping other patients extend their independence. 

Beyond her professional career, Linda was deeply involved in her community. During high school, she worked as a lifeguard at a home for girls with disabilities. Later in life, she volunteered at the Hangar Theatre in Ithaca, sharing her love of the performing arts. She also served as a Director for Ten Thousand Villages, supporting fair trade artisans worldwide. A gifted communicator and leader, Linda was an active member of Toastmasters International, and President of the Ithaca Area Club, where she mentored others in public speaking and leadership development. She remained deeply connected to her college roots as a proud member of the Eisenhower College Alumni Association Board of Directors, cherishing the lifelong friendships and shared history with fellow alumni.

Linda enjoyed hiking, traveling, wildlife, yoga, triathlon training, being with friends and family, live music, book clubs, singing to her grandchildren, learning about other cultures, and being on the water—whether that be boating on the lake or walking the beach looking for shells. She will be remembered for her kindness, curiosity, and dedication to education, the arts, the environment, women's rights, and most of all, her love for her family.

Even in passing, Linda’s commitment to science and research continues. As her final contribution to the field she loved, she donated her brain to The Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center, helping advance scientific understanding of neurodegenerative diseases.

Calling hours will be at Falvo Funeral Home in Webster, NY on Friday, March 7 from 4:00 to 7:00PM. 

A celebration of Linda’s life will be held in June 2025, details to follow. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Linda’s honor to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD) at www.theaftd.org to support research, advocacy, and care for those affected by neurodegenerative diseases.

Staying positive and unbending throughout, Linda faced Corticobasal Syndrome head-on and wrote this poem:

The Thief

By Linda Tompkins 

A thief has snuck into my brain.
The thief steals from me,
When I am not aware, until I notice what is missing.

The thief has taken so much from me—
Some things are large, like my bicycle and my car.
Other things, like my beautiful handwriting.
It even took my knife; I can no longer cut my food.
And sometimes, my ideas.

When I first knew of the thief’s arrival,
I screamed, yelled, and swore in the darkness of that night.
That did not help at all.
So I no longer swore at the thief,
Nor did I deny that the thief existed.

Though the thief has taken so much from me,
It never gives me physical pain—
And for that, I am grateful.

One day, I spoke to the thief and asked,
“Why do you steal so much from me?”
The thief said,
“I don’t know why; it’s just what I do.”

People who study the thief warned me
That it might try to take away my memories.
They also say feeding it sometimes calms the thief—
Particularly with omega-threes.
So I nourish it with berries, fish, and other forms of omega-threes.

Those who study the thief also suggest
That I take it out of my head,
To stop running away from it for a while.
So I try to run regularly—away from the thief—
But of course, it is always there, sometimes quiet.

One time, the thief came to me
And tried to take away my sense of humor and serenity.
I wouldn’t dare live without those things,
So I rapidly built a wall
To protect my hope, humor, and serenity.
I named the wall meditation—
And this has helped to keep the thief away.

You might think I hate the thief,
But I do not hate.
The thief is with me all the time—
It is part of me now.

The people who study the thief offer drugs to keep it at bay.
Sometimes, I feel weary—
All the hiding and running doesn’t always help.
I pray that those who study the thief
Will find answers before too long.

Sometimes, I sit with the thief
And laugh at how I try to navigate around it—
Like the day I couldn’t say the name of a loved one.
I was angry and sad—
It wasn’t too harsh; I did get it back.
But I don’t know when it will happen again.

It’s not nice to take away these things!

In the meantime,
I will think happy thoughts
And go about my days with gratitude—
For all the love that has come my way,
And that I can give it back
To all my loved ones.