Linda Doerrbecker, longtime treasurer and board member of Mineola Chamber of Commerce, dies

The Island Now

BY ALEX KRUTCHIK

Linda Doerrbecker, longtime treasurer and board member of the Mineola Chamber of Commerce, died on Sunday. She was 75 years old and lived in Wantagh.

A graduate of Elmont Memorial High School in 1963, she served the Chamber of Commerce for over 25 years.

When Louis Panacciulli joined the chamber in 1996, he was the conductor and music director of the Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra. He was trying to get to know about businesses more and interact with the community since the orchestra did several concerts each year in Mineola. Not only did he become more involved in the community, he also found a lifelong friend in Doerrbecker.

She would address the membership at the monthly meetings and talk about the chamber’s financial situation. She would also encourage board members to take part in the chamber’s events, such as the annual Mineola Street Fair, which was held at Memorial Park at the time.

“She was just always very visible,” Panacciulli said. “She would go around to the tables and speak to everybody and introduce themselves, especially where new members were concerned. She was always ready to extend her hand and welcome you to the events that we held. She was a great woman.”

Whether it was the street fair or the Taste and Style event, Doerrbecker always went above and beyond to help throw the best events for her community, he said.

“Linda was always right there, helping organize at all the meetings,” Panacciulli said. “And we’re really going to miss her. She was terrific, always helped along with things, and made us laugh.”

When Panacciulli joined the chamber, Doerrbecker spearheaded the hosting of concerts in Memorial Park. The chamber would go to performances, set up the table near the gazebo that used to stand there, and would offer refreshments and pastries. The goal was to show the community that the group was active and wanted people at the events.

Panacciulli added that Doerrbecker’s personality was like “a fastball down the middle.”

“If she had something she wanted to say, she would make her feelings and opinions known,” Panacciuli said. “And I think it was that part of her personality that made her so likable.”

Efforts to reach a family member were unavailing, and information on survivors was not immediately available.

She will be missed as a mother, grandmother, aunt, great aunt and friend. Linda’s family has asked for donations to the American Lung Association in her name.

The  viewing will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday at Franklin Funeral Parlor on 42 New Hyde Park Road in Franklin Square. The funeral mass will be at 10:30 a.m the following day at St. Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic Church in Franklin Square.

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