Linda K. Panter – 75 – of 46 Pine St., Hornell, died Thursday morning (February 19, 2026) at her home, following a long illness.
Born in Hornell on October 26, 1950, she was the daughter of John & Marguerite (Furlong) Cullen.
Linda grew up in Hornell and was a graduate of Hornell High School (class of 1968). She earned her Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) Degree in 1969 from Steuben BOCES and for many years was employed as an LPN at St. James Mercy Hospital. Later in life she enrolled at Alfred State College and graduated in 1991 with an Associate’s Degree in Nursing. In 1993, Linda received her Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree from SUNY Brockport.
While working at St. James Hospital as a Registered Nurse, Linda also served as Clinical Instructor at SUNY Alfred, teaching nursing students. She eventually received her Master’s Degree in Nursing from SUNY Binghamton and retired from SUNY Alfred with the title of Professor Emeritus. Linda spent most of her life (over 55 years) working in healthcare at St. James Mercy Hospital and Alfred State College. She enjoyed working with students and watching them grow in their profession.
Linda had been a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a member of St. Ignatius Loyola Church. For many years she was a member and also served as vice president of the United University Professional (UUP) Union and statewide level committees. She served as a board member of the Bethesda Foundation and was a member of the Hornell Association and the AMVETS. She also enjoyed spending time at the family’s cottage at Rushford Lake. She loved being active with walking, gardening, playing pool and with her favorite hobby — visiting casinos.
Her high school classmates were very important to her and she enjoyed attending luncheons, meetings and reunions.
In addition to her parents, Linda was preceded in death by her brother, John Cullen; along with many other relatives, including Uncle Joe and Aunt Carolyn.
She was married on June 12, 1971 to Thomas Panter who survives. Also surviving are 2 daughters, Kelly (Todd) Mullen of North Hornell and Kristy Panter of Hornell; 2 sons, William (Erin) Panter of Rochester and Thomas (Angela) Panter of Stuarts Draft, VA; 2 brothers, Joseph Cullen of Bath and Robert “Bob” Cullen of Hornell; 2 sisters, Patricia Kelleher of Hornell and Mary Margaret Cullen of Erwin, NY (with whom she had a special bond as she served as her caretaker; 13 grandchildren, Xavier, Garrett, Katerina, Jaiden, Kylie, Isabella, Elison, Noah, Ethan, Jaxson, Evan, Kendal and Zachary; 1 great-granddaughter, Ethilea Jo; nieces & nephews. Linda is also survived by many childhood friends, including Sheila, Jay, Joe, Joanne, Donna & Tom just to mention a few.
The family of Linda K. Panter will receive friends on Thursday from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 1:30 PM at St. Ann’s Church with burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Linda’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name be made to HHS Class of ‘68
C/O Rosalie Mulhollen, 5163 Purdy Creek Road., Hornell, NY 14843-9722. Memorial forms will be available at the Dagon Funeral Home.
To leave an online condolence or share a memory, visit www.dagonfuneralhome.com
