Linda Blatney

Voorheesville- Linda (Collins) Blatney 78, died Friday, March 27, 2026. She was born September 27, 1947 in Yonkers, New York and was the daughter of the late Helen (Debrowski) Collins and Robert W. Collins. She graduated Sacred Heart High School in 1965 and immediately started working for AT&T in the payroll department. She worked there for 30+ years retiring in 1998. She married the love of her life Robert, on April 29th, 1972. Together they spend 49 years creating a life, raising a family and driving each other crazy, but she wouldn't have it any other way. Linda was an avid bowler in her younger years, bowling in a couple of leagues and winning many trophies. She also loved to read. Once she got into a book, she couldn't put it down till she finished. She read every single James Patterson, John Grisham, and JD Robb book written to date. She enjoyed the changing of the seasons, but she preferred spring and summer, seeing all the flowers bloom, especially her favorite the purple lilacs. During the holidays she enjoyed cooking and baking for her family just like her mom did. She always wanted to make everyone happy and keep the peace, trying to find the positive in everything.

Linda had a love for the casino! Never met one she didn't like. She would go with her husband to Mohegan Sun often, and most recently to Saratoga Casino on the bus trip with a group from Voorheesville. She had a way with the slot machines! She could pick a winner a mile away. Her family affectionately nicknamed her "Lucky Linda" as she always won. She would also play for her family and bring her luck home to them.

She loved to travel, enjoyed the beach and took multiple cruises to the Caribbean, but her favorite trip of all, was to Alaska with friends. She enjoyed watching NASCAR and went to multiple races. Every Saturday she would cheer on The Notre Dame Fighting Irish to victory with her daughter, only to be disappointed by the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

Her greatest joy was being a mom and watching her children grow up. She loved them both so very much and was so very proud of all they've accomplished. Nothing could top being a mom, until she was promoted to Grandma on July 2, 2025 when her granddaughter Brinley was born.

She moved in with her daughter and son in law in Voorheesville in the fall of 2024. While only there a short time, she met some great people and was happy to be so close to her friends Bev and Bill McDonald who she enjoyed visiting and going to lunch with.

She is survived by her son Brian Blatney (Brooke, Brinley) of Melbourne, Florida, her daughter Tracy Yushak (Tom) of Voorheesville New York, her brother Robert Collins, sisters Patricia, Debbie and Mary Collins, sister in law Charlotte Blatney, nephews Shawn Sarles (Brenda, Jake), Matthew and Christopher Pest, niece Kathleen Pest, many cousins and close friends and her adopted cat Chuck, and her furry grandkids Smokey, Bandit and Stella.

In addition to her parents, Linda is predeceased by her husband, brother in law Donald Blatney, nephew Donnie Blatney, grandmothers, aunts and uncles.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm on Saturday, April 4, 2026 at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 343 New Karner Road, Colonie.

The family would like to thank the nurses on C5 McAuley at St. Peters especially Tori for her compassion and care, and Home Hospice of Albany County for allowing Linda to pass peacefully with her family in the comfort of her home. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Columbia Greene Humane Society or to your local Hospice office.