\t\t\tJoyce Marie \u2018Pinky\u2019 Linko \t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\tOBITUARY\t\t<\/p>\n
Joyce Marie Pinky Linko, 72, of the East Mountain section of Scranton, passed away peacefully on August 26, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.<\/p>\n
\nA graduate of Scranton Technical High School, Joyce spent her life in the Scranton area, where she built a life centered around the people she loved most.<\/p>\n
\nJoyce shared 55 years of marriage with her husband, George Linko, building a life centered around family, love, laughter, and countless memories together. While most knew her affectionately as Pinky, George always called her Rexie, a nickname that reflected the life and love they shared for more than five decades.<\/p>\n
\nShe was the proud mother of four children: Dawn and her husband, Jerry; Stephanie; Kyle; and Justin and his wife, Marianne. She was also a loving grandmother to her five grandchildren, Zacharay, Kylee-Rae, Ariyana, Nathan, and Jerry, each of whom held a special place in her heart. She also leaves behind her beloved dog, Dexter, her faithful companion who brought her tremendous love, comfort, and happiness.<\/p>\n
\nJoyce was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence Bart and Katherine Kay Kearney, her sister Judi, and her brother Chris. She is also survived by her brothers, Larry and Jeff, and her sister, Lisa.<\/p>\n
\nAffectionately known as \u201cPinky,\u201d Joyce found her greatest happiness in being surrounded by her family. She loved cooking and baking, especially making holiday cookies togethera tradition that created memories her family will carry with them for years to come. Of course, spending time in the kitchen with Pinky also meant receiving plenty of advice about exactly what everyone else was doing wrong and how they should be doing it instead. Her family wouldn\u2019t have had it any other way.<\/p>\n
\nOutside the kitchen, Joyce enjoyed bowling, amusement parks,watching tennis,watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!, settling in for her favorite Lifetime and Hallmark movies, listening to Elvis, and sitting down for a competitive game of Backgammon or Rummy.<\/p>\n
\nBut no activity or pastime meant as much to Joyce as simply spending time with the people she loved. Family was always at the center of her world.<\/p>\n
\nJoyce will be remembered for her personality, strength, humor, cooking, traditions, and, above all, her love for her family. The holidays will undoubtedly feel different without her in the kitchen, but every batch of cookies, every family gathering, every Hallmark movie, every Elvis song, and probably every disagreement about the \u201cright\u201d way to cook something will carry a little piece of Pinky with it.<\/p>\n
\nHer family will forever cherish the years they were fortunate enough to share with her and the memories that will continue to keep her close.<\/p>\n
\nThe family would also like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, support staff, and everyone at Geisinger who cared for Joyce throughout her illness. Their compassion, patience, support, dedication, and genuine care for both Joyce and her family meant more than words can express and will never be forgotten.<\/p>\n
\nPinky\u2019s fight is over, and she can finally rest peacefully, surrounded forever by the love of the family she treasured most.<\/p>\n
\nThe family will announce funeral arrangements.<\/p>\n