Camille C (Cribari) Linen

Camille Cribari Linen, born June 6, 1936, an adored leading lady and matriarch of her family, was surrounded by love as she passed away on May 6, 2026.

Her life was defined by expressions in many forms – theatre, music, literature, dance and dedication to her family and community. She lived happily and simply with a positive, engaged approach to education by constantly enriching her understanding of herself and others.
A beautiful and beloved presence in her family’s life, Camille -- their “Queen of Hearts,” -- had an uncanny way of cultivating a unique relationship with each of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, who will always live with a bounty of experiences and memories shared with their “Mimi.”

Camille, together with the love of her life, husband Lou, were the epicenter of support, love, creativity, engagement and fun for their family.

Born and raised in Mt Vernon, NY, Camille’s parents, attorney Wolfgang Cribari and violinist, Carola Ankerson Cribari, inspired her and sisters, Donna and Carola, with their passion for books, writing, music and theatre, all of which would remain a constant throughout the lives of Camille and her family. Prior to attending Marymount and Iona Colleges for undergraduate and master’s degrees in education, Camille’s first job was as a newspaper reporter for the Mount Vernon Daily Argus. She went on to write plays, musicals, arts-in-education curricula, an ESL curriculum and website, and, most recently, a book about her beloved father, Wolfe with an E, which was published in 2022.

Camille worked for decades as an English, Drama, Humanities and Psychology teacher at Port Chester High School where she was Chairperson of the English Department and later was elected to serve on the Port Chester Board of Education. Her passion for theater was infectious and she led the Drama program at Port Chester High School as well as various community theatre programs which served students, adults and senior citizens within the community.

A firm believer in the positive impact of the arts in education, Camille also founded the Port Chester Council for the Arts, Inc., established in 1981 and whose programs include Literacy Through the Arts (a true Artist in Residence program for elementary students), Kinder Art, (the Port Chester School District’s first all-day Kindergarten program) and INSTEP, for which she secured the first latch-key program grant from the State of New York for the Port Chester schools.

After her retirement from PCHS, she began teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) using an ESL curriculum that she developed. She continued teaching, switching to a Zoom platform during the COVID years, consistently until the age of 89.
The depth and breadth of her impact on her former students endured through their relationships that transcended generations. She had a knack for being able to “see” her students even when they were unable to “see’ themselves. Her home was always filled with music, students, family and friends.

When asked what motivated her to give back so much to her community, she replied, “I need to share my love for the arts with everyone. It’s partly because I am a teacher that I feel I have to lead others in discovering what I know to be true: the arts make us fully human.”

Camille’s accomplishments and awards throughout her educational and community life are many, including the Tamarack Tower Association’s “Person Held in Highest Esteem”, recognition of teaching prowess by the NYS Education Department/BOCES of Southern Westchester and honored by Westchester County with “Camille Linen Day” in 2023.

An avid reader, Camille was just as happy to be home, spending time with her adoring husband and all generations of her devoted family while listening to Harry Belafonte, dancing, watching “Doc Martin”, “Everybody Loves Raymond”, and a variety of classic and contemporary television series and films. She never shied away from engaging in healthy political debates and discussions; she also enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and whatever activities were suggested by any her grandchildren and great- grandchildren.

She treasured the memories of special trips taken to Europe, Mount Rushmore, and Montana with her family and especially with her husband Lou, yet home was her favorite place to be, always.

A loving legend of her community, Camille will be missed each and every day and remembered for her kindness, love of family, dedication to community, appreciation and work in the arts and education.

She is survived by her loving husband of 30 years, Lou Del Bianco; sisters Donna Cribari of Port Chester and Carola Cribari Assali of Heidelberg, Germany; daughters Denise Colangelo (John) of Port Chester Diane Lucas (Kirk) of Glastonbury, CT, and Dana Rutson Robinson (Doug) of Westport,CT; niece Carla Assali of Michigan; grandchildren Christina Colangelo (Brian Beadle); Julie Colangelo-Dore (Zachary); Stephen Lucas (Kristy); Scott Lucas (Kayla); Giles Rutson; and great-grandchildren Samantha Beadle; Anneliese Camille Dore and Luca Dore; The Del Bianco's and extended family; And her Brazilian "son"; and family Ricardo Ferreira (Helyana); Carol Ferreira; Pedro Ferreira (Camila) and daughters Flora and Laura Ferreira.

Visitation will be 4-8PM on Friday June 5, 2026 at Craft Memorial Home, Inc. A Prayer Service will be held at 7:30PM. Burial will be private for the family at Greenwood Union Cemetery

A celebration of Camille's life will take place on her birthday at Port Chester High School Auditorium on Saturday June 6, 2026 at 2:00PM

It will be open to the public. Light refreshments will be served in the lobby afterwards.

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