Linda M. (Novak) Brennan

Linda M. Novak Brennan passed into eternal life on May 23,2024 at her home in Loudonville, NY.  She was the wife of

William M. Brennan for 48 years since their marriage on June 28, 1975. Linda was the mother of Ashley Lauren Brennan.  She

was the beloved daughter of the late Stanley T. and Theresa Glazewski Novak. She was the sister of Diane Novak Czerniawski

of Shelton, CT.  Aunt of Cynthia Czerniawski Ortiz, Kevin Czerniawski, and Carin Czerniawski. She is survived by many

cousins and friends. 

Linda graduated in 1963 from St. Joseph’s parochial school in South Troy. She graduated in 1967 from Catholic

Central High School.  She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biology as a member of the Red Devil Class of 1971.  During her years

as a Sage student, she was named a Kellas Scholar and was awarded the VanDerWoort Award in chemistry during her junior year.

Although Linda graduated from Sage, she never left the school.  As an active member of the Russell Sage College Alumnae

Association, she served on the Board of Directors from 2001-2004, was Class President from 2001-2016, and in 2003 was

honored with the first Alumnae Admissions Program Award in recognition of her contributions to this college initiative. Linda

filled the role of regional volunteer coordinator, alumnae representative at college fairs, and as a liaison with admissions

prospects in their communities.  Over the years, she recruited many young women from her high school classes to attend her

alma mater.  She always considered her daughter Ashley her greatest recruitment effort.

              Linda continued her graduate level studies at the College of Saint Rose, earning a Master of Biology in 1973 and a

Master of Education (Psychology) in 1977.  Linda continued her teaching career with the South Colonie Central School District

in 1971.  After thirteen years of teaching science at the middle school level, she moved to the high school from which she retired

in 2010 after 39 years of service.  In 1997, she was named an Outstanding Teacher of the Year in the Capital Region. She started

an “encore career in education” employed by Capital Region BOCES.  In her years employed as a substitute teacher, she spent

time at various Capital Region school districts.  During this period, she spent several years employed at Cohoes High School,

which she considered her second high school at which she was employed as a full-time educator.

              Linda was a member of the New York State Teachers (NYSUT) and the South Colonie Teachers Association (SCTA)

throughout her professional career and continued as a retiree member of both organizations.  She was a communicant of the

former Holy Trinity Church and St. Joseph’s Church in Troy, NY.

              Relatives and Family are invited to visit with Linda’s family on Tuesday May 28th, from 4 to 7 PM as the Wm. Leahy

Funeral Home, 336 Third Street, Troy, NY.  A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 9:30 AM on Wednesday, May 29th at

St. Joseph’s Church, 416 Third Street, Troy, NY.  Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery next to her parents.

              Those wishing to make a memorial contribution in her name may do so to the Russell Sage College Alumnae

Association at the Troy Campus or the St. Joseph’s Church Bell Restoration Fund.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Linda M. (Novak) Brennan, please visit our floral store.