Linda Kandarian Ryan, 58, who worked in the publishing industry and as a volunteer in the Boston art world died on April 24th following a brief illness. She passed away at home surrounded by her husband, Jim, and daughter, Franci. Linda grew up in West Hartford, Connecticut where she graduated from Hall High. She then graduated from Elmira College in upstate New York and received her Master’s Degree from The University of Hartford.
Linda began her career as an elementary school teacher in upstate New York and moved to Boston to teach at the Kennedy Hospital School for Children. Shortly afterward she accepted a position in the publishing industry with D.C. Heath Co. In 1996 Houghton Mifflin Co. bought D.C. Heath, and she became a National Consultant for the Elementary School Division, McDougall Littell Co.
Linda’s substantial commitment to the world of volunteerism began when she joined The Junior League of Boston. She served on the League’s executive committees and received both The Volunteer Recognition Award and The Sarah Lawrence Award for her contributions to The National Museum for Women in the Arts in Washington, DC. She also served on the board of The Boston Junior League Garden Club. Her volunteering for the arts extended to the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Museum School where she relished participating in the Museum School annual Christmas student sale. Her homes are adorned with many pieces from those events.
Linda had a remarkable ability to make and keep the many friends she made during her earliest school days throughout her married life with Jim in Duxbury. Her love of travel was life-long, and she and Jim shared this love by traveling world-wide. Recently she and Jim visited many countries in Europe, traveled to Rio de Janeiro and cruised on the Amazon. Linda enjoyed skiing with Jim and Franci whether from their Vermont ski home or in Colorado and Utah. Her club memberships included the Marshfield Country Club, the Green Harbor Yacht Club and The College Club of Boston. As a life-long Episcopalian, she was an organizer in Trinity Spirit at Trinity Church Copley Square where she and Jim were married in Boston in 1997. Her church membership extended to St. John The Evangelist in Hingham where she participated in the annual Christmas Fair, adult suppers, and chili bake offs. Her latest project was to collaborate on the redecoration of St. John’s Rectory during its recent total renovation. She and Jim also traveled to Cuba with a group from the church. Linda’s many friends will always remember her as a generous hostess, talented organizer, wonderful role model, natural leader and devoted wife and mother to her beloved husband, Jim and beautiful daughter, Franci.
Linda leaves her devoted husband, Jim, loving daughter, Franci, parents Albert and Lillian Kandarian of West Hartford, CT, brother Steven, sister-in-law, Stephanie, nephew, John, nieces, Molly and Emily of Summit, New Jersey, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Visiting hours Tuesday from 5 to 8 pm and Wednesday 4 to 8 pm at the MacDonald Funeral Home 1755 Ocean St (Rte 139) Marshfield.
A funeral service will be held at St Johns Evangelist Church, 172 Main St, Hingham, MA on Thursday April 30, at 11:00 am.
There will also be a Service held on Saturday May 2, at 10:30 am in the Taylor & Modeen Funeral Home 136 South Main St, West Hartford, CT.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Linda’s memory may be made to The American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St Framingham, MA. 01701
For online guestbook and directions please visit us at our website, macdonaldfuneralhome.com