Linda Marie Simkin MD

Linda Marie Simkin MD
March 16, 1944 – November 29, 2025

Linda passed away peacefully with comfort care provided by the very competent, caring staff at the Finger Lakes Center for Living where she had resided for nearly two years.

Linda was the only daughter and the youngest of four siblings born to Chester and Clara Simkin in Sherwood, NY.

She graduated from Sherwood High School with honors and was valedictorian of her class of 1962. Linda graduated from Swarthmore College and was admitted to SUNY medical school. She received an MD with honors from the SUNY Upstate Medical University in 1970. After an internship at Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix, AZ, she returned to SUNY Upstate as a pediatric resident.

Linda then relocated to Montana for several years. She was on the hospital staff at Crow Agency Reservation under the auspices of the Indian Health Services. Subsequently she joined a pediatric group in Butte, MT. While there she became a board certified pediatrician.

After returning to Cayuga County she was employed by Auburn Memorial (Community) Hospital until retirement in 2009. This included 25 years as an Emergency Room physician with additional service as a physician at the satellite clinic in Scipio Center. During those years she also provided care at Well Child Clinics in Cato and Moravia as well as caring for migrant farm workers in Southern Cayuga County.

Service to others was a mainstay of her life. This derived from her family and religious backgrounds. Linda was a birthright Quaker and a life long member of the Poplar Ridge Friends Meeting. She was a very generous contributor to numerous organizations that shared her sentiments: world peace, human rights, civic rights, social justice, environmental concerns and many others. Her generous contributions to various organizations improved the quality of life for many in this country and abroad.

Linda enjoyed traveling. She visited 49 states (missing only Hawaii), all Canadian provinces (except British Columbia) and she also visited the Yukon Territory. Outdoor recreation included hiking, cross country skiing, canoeing, tent camping and above all, gardening.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Paul (Jane Badger) Simkin and Roger (Susan Smith) Simkin and their spouses; also two sisters in law, Nance Needham Simkin and Margaret Frisch Hoyle. She is survived by her loving husband of 42 years James C Frisch of Aurora, brother Donald Simkin of Rochester, nieces Brenda Rose Simkin and Sonja Simkin, nephews Samuel, Daniel, Benjiman and Mark Simkin; also sister in law Ruthann Frisch Bonzi of Modesto CA, brothers in law Robert (Carlienne Burhoop) Frisch of Mankato, MN and Dr. Paul (Jaqulina Patmino) Frisch of San Antonio, TX.

To her patients, Linda was a patient and caring physician. She was a loving wife, companion, critic, confidant and counselor to her husband. She was a citizen of the world.

There will be a memorial service in April 2026.  Online condolences may be shared at www.shurtleffservices.com . Shurtleff Funeral Home