Beloved St. Peter's kindergarten teacher Linda Calandrelli passes away

Linda A. Calandrelli, 74, of Youngstown, passed away on Jan. 25, 2024, at Buffalo General Hospital in Buffalo.

Born in Buffalo, she was the daughter of the late John and Genevieve (Albarella) Carosa.

Linda was a graduate of Archbishop Carroll High School and later earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Medaille College. On Feb. 7, 1975, she married Steven M. Calandrelli at St. Lawrence Church in Buffalo.

Linda worked for over 40 years with the Diocese of Buffalo as a kindergarten teacher at St. Peter’s R.C. School in Lewiston, where she also served as assistant principal and teacher’s aide, until her retirement in 2020. Linda was a beloved teacher and mentor to over 1,000 kindergarten students during her tenure. In 2015, she was awarded by the Buffalo Diocese with the Sister Lucille Socciarelli / Father Joe Sturm “Making A Difference Award” for her dedicated service to the education of children at St. Peter’s.

She was also a member of St. Peter R.C. Church, where she served as a eucharistic minister, a religious education teacher, and a volunteer for Catholic Charities.

Linda enjoyed cooking, gardening, camping, watching the Hallmark Channel, and shopping. Above all, she was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and friend, and was at her happiest when she was taking care of her family. Linda will be remembered most for her loving nature, her selflessness, and her dedication to all.

In addition to her husband of 48 years, Linda is survived by her children: Steven J. (Siobhan) Calandrelli and Dr. Kara A. Calandrelli (Noah Green); her grandchildren: Ciaran, Ronan and Genevieve Calandrelli; her siblings: John Carosa, Rosemarie Florian, Janet (Dennis) Jordan, and Judy (George) Bauer; several nieces, nephews and cousins; as well as her in-laws: Ernie (Helen) Calandrelli. She was predeceased by her sister-in-law: Kathy (Ron) DeFazio.

Visitation will be held from 3-7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29, at M.J. Colucci & Son Niagara Funeral Chapel, 2730 Military Road, Niagara Falls. Linda’s Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, at St. Peter’s R.C. Church, 620 Center St., Lewiston. Entombment will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lewiston.

If desired, memorial offerings may be made to the American Cancer Society, https://donate.cancer.org/. Visit www.mjcoluccifuneralchapel.com for online condolences.

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Linda Calandrelli was the 2015 recipient of the Sister Lucille Socciarelli-Father Joe Sturm Award, also known as the "Making a Difference Award." (File photo)