Obituary of Lynda J. Niland

Lynda Jeanne Niland, a lifelong resident of Lockport passed away June 1, 2025.

She was the daughter of Timothy D. Niland and Jeanette L. (Willlax) Niland and the niece of Donald J. Willax.

In 1977 she was a member of the "Who Who's in the East" for her academic achievements after receiving her Masters in Chemistry in 1976 from Niagara University.

Lynda was ahead of her time, often being one of a few women in her class or job site. She was a chemist for the City of Lockport's Waste Water Treatment Center during its infancy. She moved on to head the newly formed lab at the City of North Tonawanda as a City Chemist. During this time she helped Erie County Community College develop the framework needed to train others to do this type of work or manage their water treatment system. Next Lynda became a carbon research chemist for Airco Carbon until the company moved steel manufacturing out of the Niagara Falls area. Her work helped ensure the plant produced quality steel used in building area businesses, highways, and homes.

Looking for something new she researched other up and coming careers, she moved her talents to telephone based businesses including working for the Department of Education.  Before health issues slowed her down, she was always looking for the next new thing. This included taking classes to learn how to fix computers and learning the differences between Mac and PC. She loved collecting things which reminded her of friends and family.

An avid radio listener and reader, Lynda was tenacious and quick-witted until the end.

She will be missed by all of her co-workers and friends, especially Diana, Carol, Gary, Kathy and Sean, whom she considered her found family.

Services will be held at the convenience of the friends.  Inurnment will be in Cold Springs Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (phassociation.org) or The Niagara County Medical Van Service.