Obituaries
Linda R. Caputo, 79
May 10, 2022
Linda Ryan Caputo, 79, of Lititz, passed away on May 10, 2022 after a courageous 10-year battle with lung cancer and complications due to radiation treatment.
Born in Bloomfield, NJ, she was the daughter of the late John and Frances Ryan. Linda graduated from Bloomfield High School and went on to earn a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Seton Hall University in 1964, becoming a registered nurse and specializing in pediatric nursing. She married Joseph A. Caputo, former President of Millersville University, and was Joe’s loving wife for 56 years. The couple were high school sweethearts. Linda worked as a pediatric nurse until making the decision to begin raising a family.
Linda spent over 22 years as first lady of Millersville University. During this time, she served on the Nursing Advisory Board, was a member of the Board of Directors of the Vantage House of Lancaster, and served on numerous other University boards and committees. She became an honorary member of the alumni association at Millersville University and was awarded an honorary doctoral degree in humane letters from Millersville University in 2003.
Linda was well known in the campus community as a gracious and kind hostess welcoming students, faculty, and staff to campus each academic year. She was warm, friendly, and liked by everyone. Linda and Joe would interact with the University community on their daily walks around the pond with their beloved cocker spaniel, Shadow.
When Linda retired in 2003, the Trustees of Millersville University recognized her individual contributions to the University by creating the Linda R. Caputo Garden at Wickersham Green. From that point on, Linda’s gracefulness and love of nature became a permanent part of the Millersville University campus. Her garden is the largest on campus, and the only one to honor someone from the University community.
Throughout her life, Linda enjoyed helping others. She was genuinely interested in other people and empathetic to their needs and concerns. Linda was a member of the Saint John Neumann church in Lititz, PA. She was actively involved in a number of local volunteer organizations including Lancaster Meals on Wheels, where she volunteered for over a decade, and she was a longtime volunteer at the Newman House at Millersville University. Linda’s warm and generous spirit positively affected everyone she met. She never had an unkind word to say about anyone and always made people feel valued.
Linda was an avid Philadelphia Phillies fan and you would want her on your team if you were playing Trivial Pursuit!
Linda was a loving mother and a wonderful grandmother. She treasured her time with her family and when they came to visit, they could always count on plenty of snacks carefully displayed on the countertop upon their arrival. She was a fantastic listener and gave the best hugs.
Linda is survived by her husband Joe, their children Christine & David Caputo and Franz & Gregory Shelley as well as their grandchildren Chloe Caputo and Madison, Margeaux, Rachel, and Matthew Shelley.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a memorial service at the Charles F. Snyder funeral home at 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz PA on June 1, 2022 beginning at 11:00 am. The family will receive friends from 10:00am – 11:00am. A private internment will take place at the Millersville Mennonite Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Joseph A. and Linda R. Caputo Scholarship Fund. Checks made out to Millersville University Foundation, indicating the scholarship fund on the memo line, can be mailed to the Office of Development, PO Box 1002, Millersville, PA 17551. Donations can also be made to the Caring Fund at Landis Homes in Lititz, PA by going to https://www.landishomes.org/give/fund-designations/.
Watch the tribute videoLeave a condolence on this Memorial Page
Condolences to the Family
May 31, 2022
We are very sorry to hear of Linda’s passing and send our sincere sympathy to Joe and her children.
Linda was a delightful person who made all of us in the MU community feel like family.
Carol & Ed Shane
May 25, 2022
President Caputo,
I am so sorry for your loss. What a wonderful president and a first lady you were to us students at Millersville, offering presence, welcome, and encouragement on the sidelines or in the hallways. I am truly thankful for your gracious leadership as a couple and your service together.
Warmly,
Andrea Kane Frank, 1990
May 25, 2022
It was with great sadness I read of the passing of Linda Caputo. I have fond memories of her graceful manner and kindness from my time as a professor at Millersville University. My sincerest condolensces to Dr. Caputo and the family
May 24, 2022
Sincerest sympathies to Joe and family. Linda was the picture of courage and the embodiment of graciousness. She battled a formidable foe for many years and stands as an example for all of us survivors.
Jane Rudden, Ed.D.
Emeritus
May 24, 2022
LINDA
Tne light of her Life
Will never be extinguished
She lives in our hearts.
thinking of my dear friend Linda.
May 23, 2022
Joe and Linda were a distinguished couple who exhibited such warmth and kindness. They both made you feel accepted when you met them. Linda will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family. May you find comfort in knowing her memory will always be with you. Ginny Palmer, RN, PhD – retired MU nursing faculty
May 23, 2022
To Joe and family,
My most sincere sympathy to all of you. I can only imagine the hole that her passing has left in your hearts. Linda’s obituary described her so well. She was always a lady in the true sense of the word. And such a caring person — I never recall her saying an unkind word about anyone. And she never complained. When she spoke about the damage that radiation had done, she was not angry and did not blame anyone, despite her pain…. She made the world a better place for all those she knew, and truly enriched our lives.
Mary Anne Rizzolo – a Seton Hall classmate and friend of many years
May 23, 2022
I went to college with Linda at Seton Hall University many years ago. I am now 79 years old and if I were to list people at the top of my love list, Linda would be very very high. She was warm kind and beautiful inside and out. Always one of the most gracious people I knew. I am deeply sorry for her family and friends for losing this wonderful lady. My heart hurts for losing her and I will remember her for as long as I live. My deepest condolences to Joe. We all lost a true gem.
Bev Keyes
May 23, 2022
My sincerest condolences to Joe and his children.
Joel Piperberg
May 23, 2022
I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to visit with Linda as a student for hot cocoa and cookies at Christmas time and again as an employee of MU. She was warm and kind and generous as our first lady. Her garden is just steps from my office, and I will continue to think of her fondly each time I pass by. My condolences to Dr. Caputo and her entire family.
May 23, 2022
Linda is going to be greatly missed. She always made me feel loved. Although we lived far apart she always kept in touch. So sorry she had to leave us. But her work is never done. God has more for her to do. I’m going to miss you Cousin Linda. Love you ❤️
May 22, 2022
My deepest condolences to Joe Caputo and children.
Zenaida Uy
May 22, 2022
So sorry to read of Linda’s passing. She was a lovely, caring lady and I enjoyed the occasions when I worked with her at events at Millersville University. The garden created in her honor was a place of enjoyment for a short break on busy days. Linda will be missed. My condolences to her family and friends. Terri Asche
May 19, 2022
I loved Linda’s obituary. I found myself saying “yes” so often while reading it. Empathetic, a kind word, gracious, a fantastic listener, warm and generous spirit. Yes, yes, yes. This is Linda. She reached out and helped both my husband Ken and me in emergency, health-related situations. She will be missed. I am grateful to have known this lovely, special woman. Ongoing prayers for Joe and the family.
- Visitation
- Wednesday, June 01, 2022
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory
- 3110 Lititz Pike
- Lititz, PA 17543
- Map and Directions
-
Get Maps and Directions > - Services
- Wednesday, June 01, 2022
- 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory
- 3110 Lititz Pike
- Lititz, PA 17543
- Map and Directions
-
Get Maps and Directions >
