Linda C. Kwasniak (nee Salzmann)
Kwasniak, Linda C. (nee Salzmann)
May 24, 2026. Beloved wife of Michael Kwasniak, loving twin sister of Lynn (Fred) Rivers, and Laura (John) Aurelio; devoted aunt to nieces, nephews and two great-nephews; predeceased by her parents, Louis and Patricia (nee Ramsey) Salzmann.
A former physical education teacher with the Akron Central School District, Linda was a graduate of Amherst High School, the United States Coast Guard Academy, and served in the Coast Guard Reserves from 1983-2001. Family and friends may call Thursday, June 4, 2026, from 3 pm to 7 pm at the Dietrich Funeral Homes, Inc., 2480 Kensington Ave., Amherst. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, June 5, 2026, at 11 am at Amherst Community Church, 77 Washington Hwy., Amherst. Please assemble at Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ALS Therapy Development Institute at https://www.als.net/donate/?soc=blog815 Online condolences may be shared at www.TheDietrichFuneralHome.com
Linda Kwasniak (Salzmann) 3/7/63-5/24/26
Linda was born on 3/7/63 in Baltimore MD alongside twin sister Lynn, just 11 months and 7 days after older sister Laura to Patricia and Louis Salzmann. When the children were young, they moved to Snyder, NY but returned to Maryland often visiting family and spending vacations in Ocean City. Linda spent her school years as an active athlete, musician, and vocalist.
After graduating from Amherst High School, Linda joined the United States Coast Guard and attended the Coast Guard Academy. Upon leaving the Academy, she served the Coast Guard proudly from (1983-2001) in the Coast Guard Reserves before returning to school to become a physical education teacher. In 1981 Linda met her future husband Mike on a playground, just before leaving for the Academy. Their lives moved in different directions but reconnected in 1987, and they found true love. In 1997 they married in Allegany State Park surrounded by family and friends. Linda and Mike shared a passion for motorcycles, travel, and the great outdoors. They spent any chance they could, escaping to Camp in Allegheny State Park with their canine companions. They found their forever home in the woods in Fillmore NY in 2001 where Linda could walk her beloved labs for miles right outside her door.
She was an adored physical education teacher at Akron Central School. Linda’s diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) came in 2012. As Linda looked toward uncertain years through perseverance and faith in the Lord, she set out to live her life to the fullest she could, and devoted herself to further research into the terrible disease. Linda was involved in clinical research at Massachusetts General Hospital and University at Buffalo, providing invaluable evidence into her progression.
With the assistance of her husband, her sisters, close friends of the Fillmore community, and many home health aides, Linda was able to live out her remaining years in an apartment in Getzville NY. Staying out of assisted living gave her the ability to dictate her care and still enjoy the things she always had liked attending; Amherst Community Church services, concerts, and UB women’s basketball games.
She was forever grateful for the technology that allowed her to communicate and still be responsible for her finances and day-to-day activities. She maintained her appreciation for reading, music, and spending time with all her family and friends. Everyone joked that Linda would live forever, and it is with sadness that that wasn’t true.
Linda is survived by her husband Michael Kwasniak, sisters Lynn Rivers and Laura Aurelio, brother-in-laws Fred Rivers and John Aurelio as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, and two great nephews.