Linda L. (Kniffen) White

Linda Lou (Kniffen) White
April 22, 1950 - September 22, 2025

Linda Kniffen White passed peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Monday, September 22, 2025, following an intense but brief battle with cancer. 

Linda was born in Cortland, NY on April 22, 1950 to Evelyn (Tinker) and Ross Kniffen. The first of their five children and, as she loved to say, “Dad’s first boy!” Linda grew up in the family home on Route 11 in Homer, NY where the tales of horseback riding and summertime dips in the river always brought a smile to her face. She was always creative and a bit of a free spirit, but she held on to the same group of close friends no matter what life changes may have come her way. During high school, Linda was a part of Beatle-Mania, having memberships in multiple fan clubs and maintaining lifelong friendships through pen pals she met through this shared interest. This led to her taking a solo trip to England, following her high school graduation.

Linda graduated from Homer High in 1968. In her senior yearbook she was described as “bustling," which is a description that continued to fit perfectly throughout her life. She spent some time working for her parent’s business before moving on to attend cosmetology school. This would eventually lead to meeting her husband when she was asked to give him a haircut. In May of 1983 Linda met Pete for the first time at a wedding of mutual friends, but the haircut sealed their connection, and the pair was married in October of 1983.  Linda continued to work as a hair stylist until the birth of her son, Adam in 1990. 

With a growing family and a move to a new town, she found herself nurturing not only her children but her artistic talents. Writing and illustrating books for her children initially, then on to sketches and caricatures for friends and family before finally launching into folk art. Linda was immensely talented and would paint on all things antique. With the launch of the internet Linda found a ‘sisterhood’ of like-minded artists that only painted Halloween no matter the season. This was her niche, anyone that knew her knew her love for all things fall in particular, Halloween. She continued creating and selling online until a broken shoulder forced her to retire. Her creative ways were never wasted as seen with a single look inside her home, lovingly and beautifully decorated for the seasons.
 

Linda is survived by her children Katelyn (Michael) Bonner, Adam White and stepson Aaron (Tiffany) White; grandchildren Elizabeth White and Morgan Bonner; her mother Evelyn “Tink” (Tinker) Kniffen, siblings Nancy (Tim) Stephenson, Thomas Kniffen, William (Andrea) Kniffen and Mary Kniffen; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins; and her two beloved puppy girls, Lucy and Ethel.  Additionally, her “sister friends” Sherry (Ed) Torbert and Susan (David) Cornell, who both came into her life as her sister's friends, but they shared a love only sisters can understand.

Linda was predeceased by her husband of 41 years Arlen “Pete” White; her father Ross Kniffen; along with several aunts and uncles.

Linda leaves behind a legacy of love and laughter with a side of creativity that can be found within her family and her many cherished friends.
 

Combined calling hours for both Linda and Pete will be conducted on Wednesday October 1, 2025, which would have been Linda and Pete’s 42nd anniversary, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm in the White Chapel Funeral Home Inc., 197 South Street, Auburn. 

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