Edith B. Linnen

Edith B. Linnen of Riverhead died Jan. 18, 2013, at Riverhead Care Center. She was 97.

She was born June 7, 1915, in what was called “The Brick Yards” in Greenport. She was the fourth child of nine to Polish immigrant parents. Soon after her birth her family moved to Sound Avenue in Jamesport. Her father, Steven Bokinz, was a farmer and during Prohibition was also a bootlegger to help support the family. Her mother, Emelia Sadowska Bokinz, was a homemaker. Later, they moved to another farm on Peconic Bay Boulevard in Jamesport, where they enjoyed many years working the farm and where many of the siblings also homesteaded. Her sister, Mary, still lives there today.

Edith met her husband at a dance at the Elks Lodge and they began dating. On July 19, 1952, Walter and Edith were married in Riverhead. They continued to enjoy dancing throughout their marriage. At the time they met, Edith worked for Sears and Roebuck on Main Street in Riverhead. Once she had her two children she stopped working to concentrate on her family. But she always said how much she loved the people she worked with and working for Sears.

Her husband suddenly passed away in 1986, leaving Edith with a loving family to care for. Edith is survived by her son, Mark; her daughter, Jeanne Doroski; her sister, Mary Czelatka; two grandsons, Brian and Christopher Linnen; and one great-grandson, Kaden Linnen.

Edith loved many things in her long life: her family, cooking, baking, playing the lottery (Win for Life), crocheting and an occasional gin martini. She was a huge Mets fan.

When she shared her soup with the family, she lovingly made enough for her children to take home to their families, where, upon arrival it was announced in the house that “Bachi Soup” was on the table and everyone ran to the dining room knowing that something special was in the pot. Her son often proclaimed her to himself as “My Little Saint.”

Edith was once a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Riverhead Fire Department, a member of the Women of the Moose club, and a member of the Altar Rosary Society of St. Isidore R.C. Church.

The family will receive visitors Tuesday, Jan. 22, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead. A funeral Mass will be offered Wednesday, Jan. 23, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Isidore R.C. Church in Riverhead, followed by interment at the church cemetery.

This is a paid notice.