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A condensed version of this story was featured in the Spring 2024 Pal-Mac Pulse. Click here to view a digital copy

MAY 8, 2024— At Linda Tome’s core is a deep dedication to service, no matter where her life’s taken her.

The 1973 graduate got her roots in her hometown, but her impact on others has spread much further.

Tome currently works as an Independent Insurance Broker, where she helps people navigate the Medicare system, and its products. Before that, she spent several decades in Human Resources at both Eastman Kodak, and 24-hr.Helping Hands, a non-medical caregiver business.

“I continue to try to get back a little bit in that whatever help I can I can give to make things easier for people,” Tome said. “If I have the knowledge, or even if I don't, I'm going to find it for them.”

Her service-driven attitude led her to volunteer roles with the American Legion Auxiliary, Veterans Affairs, and the Pal-Mac Board of Education, among other opportunities.

PAL-MAC MADE

Tome in the 1973 edition of the Zenobia yearbook

From an early age, Tome, then Linda Klaysen, wanted to get involved. The daughter of a WWII veteran, she was aware of what it meant to truly serve your community.

Growing up near the High School had a big impact on her, too. If you look at her 1973 Zenobia yearbook, it’s hard to miss her. She was involved in numerous organizations and sports teams ranging from choir and band to being a cheerleader. She even helped develop the yearbook itself.

But she didn’t stop there. Tome also ran and was elected to the Student Council Secretary position. It's an appointment she didn’t realize would have life-lasting effects, as she still coordinates class reunions to this day.

The ‘73 class recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.

“The school allowed you to do so many things,” Tome said. “It is very family-oriented, everybody knows everybody.”

True to that small-town spirit, Tome chose to stay rooted in Palmyra after she graduated from Alfred College. It’s where she raised her family, and decided to get even more involved in the District.

Tome (Lower right) 

ROOTED IN SERVICE

“When my kids were little I said I said don't even think about doing anything behind my back because if you get in trouble, I will know about it,” Tome joked. “There's too many people that I know in this area and you are going to get caught, so don't even think about it.”

While they couldn’t think of ways to get in trouble, Tome’s children, Justin and Allison, did think of ways to get involved.

Both Allison and Justin competed for Pal-Mac sports teams, with Justin playing football and Allison playing volleyball.

It was through those long game nights that Tome decided to step up to help out. Recognizing a need for more volunteers at the concession stands, Tome began rallying volunteers to “revitalize” the stand.  She says the newly formed group went on to raise funds for several school activities that the budget may not have allowed for.

Allison and Justin would soon graduate from Pal-Mac, leaving a bit of an empty space for Linda. Wanting to avoid “volunteering withdrawal,” she decided to take her efforts to the next level: the Board of Education.

Tome says she decided to run for the position after receiving several suggestions from other people in the community.

“I thought to myself, I actually have no specific agenda,” Tome said. “I’m here for the kids, the teachers, and the community.”

Tome (second from left) in the 2001 edition of Zenobia

She served on the Board for three years from 2001-2003, and served as Vice President in her final year.

Around the same time, Tome got involved with the American Legion Auxiliary. The legion is a service-oriented organization that assists veterans and their families.

Through the auxiliary, Tome began to find her true passion: Supporting the veterans. 

A look at her resume reveals a laundry list of acts of service within the legion auxiliary, from coordinating events and table setups to writing grants for festivals. She’s also been a highly-requested speaker at Memorial Day events.

Her years of dedication to those who dedicated their service to their country caught the eyes of both New York State, and the National Auxiliaries. She rose from President of the state auxiliary in 2019 to National Leadership Chairman in 2023. Along the way, she continued to advocate for veterans, the military and their families in a number of ways.

The COVID pandemic hit during her second year in the state position, so she started making videos on Facebook to stay connected with members. She kept the same strategy in place as she climbed the ladder to the national position.

She didn’t limit herself to working with just the auxiliary, as she’s also volunteered her time at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Canandaigua. At the VA, she’s worked hands-on with the veterans.

“It makes my heart full when I see our veterans doing well,”Tome said. “Being able to enjoy whatever they're doing,  and what I can help them with.”

Tome credits her passion for helping veterans to her father. She says she strives to make him proud every day. 

“Just with everything that he gave and all of our veterans give,” Tome said.”I’m just one person, I can’t do everything they did, everything they gave. But every little bit helps.”

Linda remains focused on her volunteer work, but stays connected to the Palmyra community, and her family. She spent nearly two decades volunteering for the Palmyra Canaltown Days Committee.

Justin served in the Air Force and lives in San Antonio, Texas. Allison lives with her family in nearby Webster, New York. One of Tome’s grandsons is currently following in his father’s footsteps in the Air Force. 

She routinely sends him his favorite dessert, chocolate chip cookies.It’s a monthly tradition she says she has to keep up, or she’ll “hear about it.”

PURSUING YOUR PASSION

Despite her busy schedule, Tome remains deeply passionate about the work she does. That prompted us to ask her how current Pal-Mac students can find their passions.

Drawing back on her experiences, Tome talked about her time at Alfred, where she earned a degree in secretarial sciences. She said she was previously told that women don’t go to college, but she was inspired to prove people wrong.

She started at Kodak as a secretary, but would soon work her way through several promotions and positions over the course of nearly three decades.

“You gotta do what makes you feel good,” Tome said. “If that's where your interests are, that's what you've got to pursue.”

She finished by telling students to “go with your heart,” no matter where life takes you, much like it took her to where she is now. 

Know an amazing alum who should be recognized? Fill out our form! Pictures and/or video can also be sent to Public Information Coordinator Andrew Hyman at andrew.hyman@palmaccsd.org