Lynda June (Silagyi) Hancock

Born in Gowanda, New York, Lynda grew up in Lawtons and attended North Collins High School, where she was valedictorian of her graduating class. Using her Regents scholarship, Lynda became a registered nurse and worked at the Gowanda Psychiatric Center,and then the Buffalo Psychiatric Center, for over 37 years before she retired in 2001.

Lynda’s life contained both intense joy and significant challenges. Following an initial breast cancer diagnosis in 1987, she survived surgeries and a subsequent recurrence in 1991, with radiation and chemotherapy, all while working full-time and raising two children as a single parent. Extremely devoted to her kids, she never missed a meet, match, or performance, and helped both of them, and their families, through college and beyond.

Fiercely independent, she lived on her own until the very end and only reluctantly accepted help when it was absolutely necessary. While jigsaw puzzles and reading kept her busy later in retirement, nothing brought her as much joy as her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her greatest love and zest for life arose from her family, and there was nothing she would not do for any and all of them.

Lynda was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and June (Clabeaux) Silagyi. She is survived by her son, Thomas (Heather) Hancock, her daughter, Melissa (Christopher) Nickson; her grandchildren, Lauren (Luke) Farshchian, Julianna Hancock (Matt Baker), Andrew Hancock, and Bree Nickson; her great grandchildren, Zeke Farshchian, Kinley Baker, and Ellie Farshchian; her siblings, Frank (Linda) Silagyi, Susan (David) Ivett, John (Cynthia) Silagyi, and Robert (Cindy) Silagyi; as well as many other loving nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

Lynda will be remembered foremost for her devotion to her family, most especially her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, her strength and independence, her resilience in the face of adversity, and her love of angels and the color pink. She was an incredibly intelligent, strong, brave, dedicated, selfless, and loving person, and the world will be a lot less bright without her in it.

In keeping with Lynda’s wishes to donate her body to science for teaching and research purposes (a further selfless act to help others), there will be no calling hours or funeral service at this time, but a celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, September 27, 2026 from 1:00pm – 4:00pm at the Orchard Park Country Club.

In lieu of flowers, Lynda kindly requested that memorial contributions be made in her name to the Cancer Resource Center at Roswell Park Cancer Institute or the Rose Collection at the Orchard Park library.