Johnstown – Linda L. (Hayes) Caruso, 78, formerly of Gansevoort, passed away on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at the Mountain Valley Hospice of Gloversville after a valiant battle with Alzheimer's.

Born April 4, 1940 in Glens Falls, Linda was the daughter of the late George B. and Hazel (Deyette) Hayes.

She was a 1958 graduate of Glens Falls high School and attended Cobleskill College.

On September 2, 1961 Linda married the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Caruso, Sr. Always together, it was rare to see one without the other. After 55 wonderful years, Bob passed away on September 30, 2016.

At the age of 16, Linda began working for Charles Wood at the newly opened Storytown in Lake George. She loved her roles as Mary with her Lamb, Little Miss Muffet, and as a Singer/Can Can Dancer in Ghost Town. With her amazing and natural singing voice, Linda loved to entertain the guests in the Ghost Town Saloon. In 1973 and 1974, when Bob was stationed with the US Navy in Italy, Linda was able to use her natural singing talent when she auditioned and sang with the Navy's 6 ^th Fleet Singers.

Over the years, Linda worked for the Glens Falls Insurance Company, the South Glens Falls School District as part of the cafeteria staff, Friendly's, and BJ's Wholesale Club. With her quick smile, contagious laugh and friendly personality, Linda easily made friends with all whom she met.

Before she lost her vibrant personality to Alzheimer's, she was a devoted wife, a loving mother and grandmother. Known for her hospitality, she and Bob welcomed all to their home where they hosted many a spaghetti dinner. Linda was a "people person" and was quick to help others in need. She loved animals and could always be found taking in and caring for any stray that made its way to her door. She and Bob loved hooking up the camper and "taking to the road."

Linda was an active member of the local Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. Together, she and Bob were active in the Door to Door Ministry and in the Construction of many Kingdom Halls of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Linda's survivors include one daughter, Valerie Redhead and her husband Carl of Chelmsford, England; two sons, Charles Caruso and his wife Diane of Johnstown and Robert Caruso, Jr. of Johnstown; four grandchildren, Amber (Caruso) Morris and her husband Tyler, Samuel Caruso, Evelina Caruso and Alonso Caruso, all of Johnstown; a cousin, Jerome Tunney of Lake Forest, Illinois; two sisters-in-law, Carol Cicero of Hudson Falls and Shirley Caruso of Fort Edward; a brother-in-law, Charles Caruso of Florida, several Deyette cousins, along with several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service for Linda will be held on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at 3pm at the Saratoga Springs Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses on Edie Road in Wilton.

I wish to thank my brother and sister-in-law, Chuck and Diane, for their amazing "at home" care of mom for the past two years. She would not have made it this far if not for your love, compassion, and patience.

Also, the family wishes to thank the "Visiting Nurses Home Care" for all their tender loving concern shown to Linda and her family for the past two years and the wonderful staff of the Mountain Valley Hospice for their compassion and supportive care.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Linda's memory to the Visiting Nurses Home Care: VNA Foundation, 35 Colvin Avenue, Albany, NY 12206.

A private burial was held at the Gerald BH Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville.

Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs.

Online remembrances and condolences may be made at burkefuneralhome.com.