Linda Kay (Nugent) Schaff November 24, 1943 - September 20, 2026

December 24, 1943 – September 20, 2026

Linda Kay (Nugent) Schaff, Turlock, drove her 1966 Plymouth Fury III, known as the “Silver Bullet”, to the gates of Heaven on September 20, 2026 to join Dick, her beloved husband of 33 years. Dick often referred to her as “Lead Foot Linda,” and friends and family think it is most likely she crashed through the gates of Heaven similar to the time she nearly drove through their garage into the backyard pool.

Born December 24, 1943, in Aberdeen, SD, Linda was the eldest daughter of Dr. Milton E. Nugent and Doris V. Hoffman. She was a graduate of the University of Jamestown in North Dakota, with a degree in early education. She met Dick the summer before her senior year while working as a lifeguard at the public swimming pool in Bowman, ND. Dick, a math major, often teased that if Linda were ever to lose her fingers and toes, she would no longer be able to count.

After marrying in 1966, Linda and Dick were recruited by schools in California, due to a teacher shortage. They moved to Turlock in 1967 and Linda accepted a first grade teaching position at Crowell Elementary School. She taught for 5 years before deciding to be a stay-at-home mom to raise her two children.

Linda and Dick were active in the Catholic Campus Community (CCC) at CSU Stanislaus. There, Linda formed a deep bond with the “Church Ladies” and their families, living by the motto, “Love is Including. Not Excluding.” She was involved heavily with the CCC community and formed lifelong bonds, lovingly earning the nickname “The Pope”.

In 1985, she returned to teaching with the Stanislaus County Office of Education alternative study program, helping students meet their educational goals. During this time, she helped many students obtain a high school diploma or GED and transition to young adulthood.

After retiring from teaching in 1997, Linda began studying to become a massage therapist, specializing in a variety of eastern massage therapy techniques such as Tui Na, Qi Gong, Reiki, acupressure, and reflexology. While in training, she practiced with friends and family, honing her skills and twice travelled to China to study under a Qi Gong master. She opened her own massage therapy business in Turlock and had a very loyal following of clients until she retired in 2015. She was very grateful for the lifelong friendships that were developed over the years with many special people who enjoyed “The Elbow,” “The Thumb,” and her magic touch.

Linda also volunteered for local hospice providers and hospitals, providing free massages to medically compromised infants, individuals transitioning to the afterlife, and providing respite to families. Without knowing it at the time, she was quietly paying it forward.

“Grammie Linda” loved spending time with her grandchildren and enjoyed watching them play and teaching them to swim during the hot summers in Turlock, CA. She also loved listening to classical music while enjoying her Red Rose tea or a glass of chardonnay, eating chocolate (preferably dark), going for walks, absorbing the Reader’s Digest and books from the Turlock Library, trying to complete the daily newspaper crossword and puzzles, dining at Table 26 with close friends, and living her life to the fullest.

She was diagnosed with dementia and was cared for by her family for the last 15 years of her life. The family is grateful that Linda is no longer suffering and happy that she will be able to teach everyone in Heaven to play the family favorite card game, “Pounce.”

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; her mother and step-father, Doris (Hoffman) and Robert Hirsch; her father and step-mother, Dr. Milton and Joan Nugent; her parents-in-law, Edmund and Celestine (Hirsch) Schaff.
She is survived by her sisters, Nancy Beaty and Kathleen Hall; her children, Ken Schaff (Tanya) and Kara Anguiano (Juan); her five grandchildren (Jewel, Gem, Vinnie, Aidan, and Jake); one great-grandson; as well as many step-siblings, extended family, and dear friends.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2026 at 3:00 pm at Allen Mortuary, 247 N. Broadway, Turlock, CA. The service will be followed by a celebration of life at the Carnegie Arts Center, 250 N. Broadway, Turlock, CA. Guests are encouraged to wear blue, Linda’s favorite color, or another bright color to celebrate her life and legacy. Her last wishes were for family and friends to stay close and keep in touch, love unconditionally, and hug often!

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Community Hospice and Health Services (CHHS) Foundation and the Alexander Cohen Hospice House in Hughson, CA. Her family and friends are deeply grateful for the compassionate care and support provided by the hospice team during her final days.