Linda Lee Chaput

Boonville- Linda Lee (Burge) Chaput, of Black River Lane, wife of Donald L., passed away on Wednesday, February 19, 2014 at Sunset Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Boonville, after a long, hard fought battle with breast cancer. She was born in Phillipsburg, Pennsylvania, on March 29, 1949, a daughter of James Winfield and Edna Maxine Albert Burge. Linda grew up in Morrisdale, PA, where she graduated from West Branch high school with the Class of 1967.She attended and graduated from Greater Greensburg Salem Technical College earning her degree in practical nursing. After that she was employed as a Licensed Practical Nurse in Clearfield, PA, Jacksonville, FL, San Diego, CA, and Philadelphia, PA. On February 3, 1973, Linda was united in marriage with Donald L. Chaput, at the Kingsland, Georgia, United Methodist Church. On December 31, 1992, Mr. Chaput retired from his career in the U.S. Navy and the couple moved to Boonville, in 1993 settling at their present home on Black River. From 1995 until her retirement in 2012, Mrs. Chaput was employed at Adirondack Central School K-8 Building and then at the Junior High School as a teacher's aide. Linda greatly enjoyed her career as a teacher's aide; she will be fondly remembered for her great smile, sense of humor and affection, guidance and academic assistance that she showered upon all of her students. The highlight of her career was the time she spent monitoring the Mandarin Chinese language classes. Linda was a member of Herkimer Road Church of Christ in North Utica where she was active as a Sunday school teacher and chaperone for teen group functions. Linda also enjoyed hosting the congregation for a Memorial Day picnic at her home on the Black River. Linda truly loved her home on the Black River and spent many hours landscaping the yard with flower gardens. She also enjoyed cooking and canning vegetables. Linda earned the nickname of "Mama Cheps" by providing lunch for the musical cast at ACS on rehearsal Saturdays during the years that she served as co-director. Linda was a very dedicated and supportive mother, She never missed a musical performance or sporting event that her son participated in. In addition to her husband, Don, she is survived by one son, Donald J. Chaput, Yorkville, NY, two sisters, Mary Rachelle (Thomas) Broderick, Niagara Falls, NY, Patricia Ann (Curtis) McKnight, Morrisdale, PA, her parents, James Winfield Burge and Edna Maxine Burge, of Morrisdale, PA, two sisters-in-law, Sharon Lorenz, Mesa, AZ and Sandra (Ken) Haraseth Riverdale, ND, nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, February 23, at 6:00 P.M. at the Herkimer Road Church of Christ, 1330 Herkimer Road, North Utica, with entombment of her ashes to follow at a later date at the columbarium at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. There are no calling hours. Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society Oneida/Herkimer Branch Office 100 Lomond Place Utica, NY 13502. For an on-line message of sympathy, please go to www.trainorfuneralhome.com. Her arrangements are entrusted to Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville, NY.