Linda Skopik

Linda Frey Skopik                                                                                      

    Santa Fe:  Linda F. Skopik, 82, passed away on Monday, September 11, 2023, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She was born on April 24, 1941 in Lima, Ohio. Linda was preceded in death by her mother, Gladys (Griffith) Frey and father, Robert F. Frey Jr, as well as a brother, Corbett “Corby” G. Frey.

Linda is survived by her husband of 63 years, Steven D. Skopik of Santa Fe, a daughter, Maria S. Kniskern and grandson Jonathan “Jonny” Kniskern of Santa Fe, two sons, John of Santa Fe and Steven T. of Ithaca, New York. She is also survived by two brothers, Robert (Phyllis) F. Frey III of Ottawa and William (Sharon) Frey of Norwalk. After her marriage on September 30, 1960, Linda and her husband moved to Defiance for two years and then to Princeton, New Jersey for five years. After that, most of her adult life was spent in Newark, Delaware, where she and her husband raised their three children. She was a 1977 graduate of the University of Delaware with a B.A. in psychology.

In retirement, Linda and her husband moved back to Ottawa for a brief period and then on to Cochiti Lake, NM, a small town located on the Cochiti Indian Reservation. In the spring of 2023, they moved to Santa Fe to be closer to their daughter, son, and beloved grandson (and to have greater access to healthcare).

Linda’s fondest memories stem from growing up in Ottawa. She cherished her many childhood friendships. In 1959, she graduated from the old Ottawa Public High School. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, as were many generations of Freys.

Linda’s greatest pleasure in life was being with her family at the holidays, especially Christmas. She took inspiration from her grandmother, Orchid K. Frey, who for many years created storybook Christmases at her home at 540 E. Main Street in Ottawa. Linda enjoyed traveling, reading books and working crossword puzzles. In the pre-pandemic years, she enjoyed going to movies and trying new restaurants.

Donations in Linda’s remembrance may be made to the Ottawa Presbyterian Church or to the Putnam County Library, which was founded by Linda’s great-grandmother Mazie (Hauck) Frey in 1924.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Burial will be in Harman Cemetery.