Obituary of Linda Campbell

Linda Marie Campbell, Esq, passed on February 27,2025 after an extraordinary three-year battle with pancreatic cancer.  An only child, she followed her parents, Colonel Bruce and Mrs. Marie Campbell, in death.  She is survived by her cousins Robert “Little Bruce” Campbell, Monica Wassell and Terry Duffy.  Born in Japan, where her father was stationed, she traveled the world as an “Army brat” until she finally realized that “home” was Syracuse among her family of the heart (her so-called “posse”). The “posse” later supported her in various ways during her struggles with the disease that ultimately took her from them.  Not a single chemotherapy or fluid infusion did she attend without the company of a member of that group.  Not a single doctor’s appointment in Syracuse or in Boston was accomplished without at least one second set of ears, eyes and a rational brain.  And virtually for the entirety of the six weeks spent in Boston undergoing radiation with chemotherapy did she not have the company of one of these wonderful people.  While certainly not a complete list of the people she considered to be her “family of the heart”, that family included Dr. Patricia Numann, Michael Klein, Martha Mulroy, Ann Jackson, Mary Richardson and Sally Williams Buglass, without whom her battle with cancer would have ended so much sooner.  They were, collectively, her North Star and she loved them so very dearly and so sorry was she to leave this life with so little time to appreciate them as she could have in health.

      A graduate of the Syracuse University College of Law, Ms. Campbell’s law career as a law clerk to Hon. Frederick J. Scullin, Hon. Leo F. Hayes, and the Hon. Walter T. Gorman led her next to a 25 year career as a highly respected appellate attorney and arbitrator in both State and Federal Courts. As a member of the Onondaga County Bar Association for over 40 years, she endeavored to leave a legacy of ethics and dedication to her chosen profession assisting numerous clients in their legal battles within a daunting justice system with a commitment to each and love of details.  In addition to serving for many years as a member of the Fifth Judicial District Character and Fitness (Attorney Admissions) Committee and the Syracuse College of Law’s Board of Visitors, she proudly served as a member of the Town of Onondaga Planning Board under the chairmanship and tutelage of Marc Malfitano. 

      She loved to travel, with recent post diagnosis trips to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, to Portugal, to Florida, and a cruise to Egypt, yet her significant regret being that she did not have time to visit Russia (to see the Faberge eggs), or China (to see the clay warriors). In May of 2024, with the assistance of her friend Doreen Simmons and the care of Nurse Kathy Doerner, Linda traveled as a malade with the Order of Malta to Lourdes, France. She spoke often to others of the “glow”, witness to our Lady, solace, and the revitalization of her faith that arose from that pilgrimage. As a skilled needlepoint crafter, her last creation was an image of Our Lady of Lourdes.

       All who knew, loved and admired Linda and her courage know she would want special thanks to be publicly extended to her dear Doctor, friend and companion Patricia Numman, her primary oncologist Dr. Merima Ramovic-Zobic , the caring nurses at Upstate Cancer Center, the professionals at Massachusetts General Hospital and those who prayed for her in her times of illness and uncertainty.

       A visiting hour will be held on Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 10 am at Holy Family Church, 127 Chapel Dr., Syracuse New York to be followed by a funeral Mass at 11am which will be live streamed from the parish’s website. In lieu of flowers and should you be so inclined, please donate to Tunnel to Towers (www.t2t.org), an organization dear to Linda which was formed to build homes for or pay off the existing mortgages of veterans and first responders, or their surviving families - who were killed or seriously injured in the line of duty. Alternatively, kindly consider donating to Holy Family Church,127 Chapel Drive, Syracuse, New York 13219 which donations will be used for the care of the parish’s Shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes.