Elizabeth Anne Linzey, 88

ALBANY, N.Y. — Elizabeth Anne Linzey, 88, died peacefully on December 21, 2022 in Albany. Elizabeth (Betty) was born on July 30, 1934, to William Joseph O'Connor and Elizabeth Anne Meehan in Albany. She grew up in a large tightknit family as the middle child of 6, Marilyn Evans, William (Bill) O'Connor, Maureen O'Connell, Father Francis O'Connor, and Anne Gardner. 

She was predeceased by Marilyn, William, and Maureen. After graduating from the Vincentian Institute in 1952, she went on to study teaching at the College of Saint Rose. She married her husband, Raynor Linzey of 56 years, on August 10, 1957, and moved with him to Norwich, Vermont, where she taught as he finished his bachelor's degree at Norwich University. They moved to California for a short time then returned home to be closer to family. She and Ray spent the rest of their lives around the Adams, Mass. area. 

Initially they moved to Cheshire, Mass and then Ray built a home in Adams. As the family grew, they moved to Stamford, Vt. where they stayed for 10 years before moving back to Adams in 1975 and settled there for the rest of Ray's life.

After Ray's death in 2013, Elizabeth moved back to Albany to be close to her remaining siblings. She enjoyed becoming reacquainted with the city of her childhood and being close to her siblings. She frequently toured her children through the now changed streets to see the old houses and sites regaling them with stories of her childhood.

Elizabeth is survived by her brother Father Francis O'Connor and Anne Gardner. She is also survived by her three sons, Michael Raynor Linzey (64), Andrew Joseph Linzey (61), and William George Linzey (59). She leaves 6 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

Elizabeth was a full-time mother, devoted to her children, their care and education. She worked for 2 years at the Stamford Vermont Elementary School District as a middle school teacher and substituted in the Adams School District. She loved teaching and the opportunity it gave her to touch young peoples' lives. Her stories of teaching always seemed to center on 'troubled children' and how a little care and love could reach even the most difficult student.

Later in life, Elizabeth became an interpreter at the Hancock Shaker Village.

She learned to spin and weave. She developed a great love of those arts and became an expert in the process of how wool was handled in the 1800s. She found great joy demonstrating those skills, especially to children. She eventually became very knowledgeable in all aspects of Shaker life and served throughout the village.

There will be a memorial mass for Elizabeth at Norte Dame Church in Adams on Saturday, June 17 at 11:00 am. The Mass will be celebrated by her beloved brother, Fr. Frank O'Connor.