In memory of Dr. Linda M. Day

 

Linda M. Day, 56, of Kingston PA, passed away Jan 21, 2003, at home in the company of friends and family.

In 2002, Dr. Day was honored by special resolutions from the Pennsylvania State Legislature and the Luzerne County Commissioners
to recognize and commend her career-long efforts on behalf of victims of child abuse and domestic violence.
She profoundly changed, and even saved, the lives of many.
After earning MA and PhD degrees from Fordham University in Clinical Psychology,
she came to Wilkes-Barre for a traineeship at the Veterans Administration and Childrens Services Center of Wyoming Valley.

Her private practice began in 1983.
When Wyoming Valley became her permanent residence,
the fulfillment of a childhood dream to help troubled children began.
She served as President of the Children and Youth Services Advisory Board,
and developed and coordinated a new comprehensive approach to childrens' services,
the Interagency Child Abuse Team involving
Childrens Service Center and the Children and Youth Services of Luzerne County.

For 25 years, she provided volunteer counseling for the Interagency Child Abuse Team.
A charter member of the Domestic Violence Service Center of Wilkes-Barre since 1976,
she served 20 years on its Board of Directors, twice as the President.
Dr. Day served as Chairperson of the Luzerne County Domestic Task Force since 1991;
her committee, Social Services Coordination,
trained professionals from many communities in establishing such a task force.

When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she became devoted to other pursuits.
She earned Master Gardener recognition from the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences,
belonged to the Pennsylvania Internetworking Group,
and created a web site for the Luzerne County Domestic Task Force.
During this period she also served as President of Northeast Pennsylvania Psychology Association.

She felt those extra years were precious and joyful.