Obituary of Linda J. Grome

Linda (Bardwell) Grome of Tully/Otisco, NY passed away peacefully on 12/05/19 after her battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Born on June 16, 1939 to the late Stanley and Evangeline Bardwell, Linda’s roots were in Otisco, NY where she enjoyed her youth growing up on the family farm with her parents and sisters. After graduating from Tully High School in the class of 1957, she remained in Otisco, NY to raise a family of her own. Linda married Bernard “Bernie” Grome in July of 1957 and they spent the next 59 years together, dedicated to their family and living life to its fullest by doing the things they loved. 

She loved her children (Karen, John), her grandchildren (Erica, Matthew, Julie, Jamie) and her newborn great grandson (Joseph).
 
As an avid gardener, Linda always had flower and vegetable gardens to tend to. She also loved to mow the lawn and could often be seen riding across the five-acre property on her red lawnmower. Linda shared her love of antiques with most of her family - she and Bernie would have antique/garage sales quite frequently. Linda was a devout Christian and a loyal parishioner of Otisco Presbyterian Church for many years, more recently at Amber Congregational Church. Linda always had a way of caring for others. Orchestrating numerous “strawberry suppers” for the Church along with organizing a “cookie pack” to provide cookies and cheer to elderly or sick members of the community at Christmas time are just a few examples of how she loved to give to others.   

For 43 years, Linda was the smiling face of the cafeteria at Tully High School and her presence made it a magical place. She took pride in being a “School Lunch Lady” and loved every minute of her career. Bernie lovingly referred to Linda as “the boss” and all who loved her know this to be true as she was always in charge of whatever project or event she took on. He also would say that she worked at the cafeteria just to pay for kid’s lunches, it was mostly true. Linda loved seeing her own children’s friends grow and then their children eventually coming through her lunch line. She was loved by all and if you stepped foot in Tully High School while she was working, you knew the one and only, Mrs. Grome. Linda was a yearbook dedicatee recipient at Tully High School and celebrated as an honorary graduate several times over.

Linda will be forever missed by her family and friends. She was predeceased by her parents (Stanley, Evangeline Bardwell), her husband of 59 years (Bernie Grome), and her sister (Wilma Park). Linda is survived by her children: Karen (Scott) Allen of Tully, NY and John Grome of Connecticut; her grandchildren: Erica Doody of Fayetteville, NY, Matthew (Kaitlyn) Doody of Tully, NY, Jamie (Sam) Veillette of Greenfield, MA, and Julie Grome of Easthampton, MA; great-grandson, Joseph Doody; her sister, Donna Judd of Deruyter, NY; her brother-in-law, Gary (Ginny) Grome of South Onondaga, NY; and many nieces and nephews.

Services for Linda will be held Monday (12/09/19) at Ballweg and Lunsford Funeral Home at 2584 Field Ln. Lafayette, NY 13084 – calling hours from 4-7 pm, funeral to follow at 7 pm. 

In lieu of flowers, donations would be welcomed in honor of Linda at Francis House (108 Michaels Ave. Syracuse, NY 13208) or Hospice Foundation of CNY (990 7th N St. Liverpool, NY 13088).