Linda Venuti DeMarkey died on Sept. 14 in Valhalla, N.Y. She was 73 years old.
Born in Mt. Vernon, N.Y., on Oct. 11, 1941, Linda received all the sacraments of the Catholic Church at Immaculate Conception Church in Tuckahoe. Linda lived in Tuckahoe for 21 years with her parents, Anthony and Victoria Venuti, and her sister, Barbara Venuti Dorr, all of whom predeceased her.
She was a graduate of the Ursuline School in New Rochelle and attended Manhattanville College in Purchase for two years, where she studied Liturgical Music. Many years later, in 1984, she completed her bachelor’s degree at Sacred Heart University, and then continued her studies at Fordham University Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education, earning a master’s degree in 1987.
She began her career as an itinerant music teacher in Westchester County Catholic schools. She then raised her family with her beloved husband, Joseph, in Greenwich. She returned to teaching music in the Greenwich Catholic Elementary Schools and afterwards began her ministry for 22 years as a director of religious education at two parishes (Our Lady Star of the Sea and St. Maurice) in the Bridgeport Diocese for 10 years, and later in the Archdiocese of New York, at Holy Innocents Parish in Pleasantville, for 12 years.
Following her education directorship experience, Linda served the New York Archdiocesan Catechetical Office as a regional director for seven years for Central/Southern Westchester, giving guidance and direction to 61 parish religious education programs.
After retiring from her full time ministry in 2005, she accepted a part time position in the New York Archdiocese as the registrar for the New York Catholic Bible School and a part time position at St. Gregory the Great Religious Education Program in Harrison, N.Y.
She had a passion for religious education and planning liturgical celebrations. She continued as a consultant for the department of education, evaluating religion programs in some Catholic schools, teaching in the Catechist Formation Program, training directors and coordinators in the basic training program, and teaching in the permanent deaconate preparation program at St. Joseph’s Seminary.
She enjoyed working with colleagues on several committees, such as Fordham University Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education’s alumni committee, St. Mary Parish’s liturgy and adult education committees, the Ursuline School 50th reunion for the class of 1959, and the Mid-Night Run from St. Mary Parish.
Linda is survived by her husband, Joseph, whom she married in 1962, and by their three children, Joseph P. (Paula), Laura A. DeMarkey King (Richard), and Peter C. (Eileen).
She cherished and loved their eight grandchildren, Julia and Christopher DeMarkey, Madelyn and Hannah King, Abigail, Elizabeth, Thomas and Edward DeMarkey, and their two step-grandchildren, Andrew (Shelby) King and Lydia King, and their step great-grandchildren, Trinity, Ryan, and Aubrey.
Also surviving are her brothers-in-law John (Wendy) DeMarkey and Lawrence Dorr; a nephew; and several nieces and grandnieces.
Linda loved life and thoroughly enjoyed traveling, sewing, knitting, concerts, theatre, musicals, gardening, bicycling, dancing, cooking and baking, reading, entertaining for friends and family, rest and relaxation at the beach, spending time with her grandchildren, and helping others. Her greatest goal in life was to treat others with kindness and respect.
Visitation was held on Wednesday, Sept. 16, at Castiglione Funeral Home on Old Post Road No. 3 in Greenwich. A Mass of Christian Burial took place the next morning at St. Paul’s Catholic Church on Sherwood Avenue, and interment followed at St. Mary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to Rosary Hill Home, Linda Avenue, Hawthorne, NY 10532, or to the New York Archdiocesan Catechetical Office, 1011 First Avenue, New York, NY 10022.
