Linda Christie

Linda Ann Christie, 71, of Roslindale, Massachusetts, passed away unexpectedly on March 12th while doing one of her favorite things: birdwatching on a sunny day in a park.

She was born on December 26th, 1953 in Paramus, New Jersey to George and Marjorie Christie. Despite her birthday being the day after Christmas, they always made it feel special for her, with distinct gifts and celebration. Growing up in New Jersey, Linda fell in love with the outdoors, spending beloved annual family vacations swimming and sailing on Long Beach Island. In school, she cultivated her love of art, and in high school spent hours building a large mosaic with friends that enshrines the school hallways to this day.

A graduate of Ramapo High School, she went on to obtain a philosophy degree at Drew University, cultivating the lifelong asset of her sharp, agile and open mind. After college, she set her sights on Boston, a city that suited her perfectly and became her lifelong home. She had many vocational adventures, from landscaping to switchboard operating (seriously) to a venerable tenure in food service at Boca Loca Mexican restaurant. She even spent a brief stint at Fenway Park with her friend Paula, where they served as the first female ushers in the park's history. She eventually found her way to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, retiring after a 42 year career as an IT guru. She never met a new technology that she couldn't master, and was perennially pleased by the latest gadgetry. She was such an Apple aficionado, she could even create "Hackbooks" - using her arcane powers to make cheap PCs operate as fully-fledged Macbooks.

Linda went out on a BLAB (Bicycling Lesbians around Boston) group social ride one fine September day in 1990, and met her soulmate, Rosemary Blau, who proceeded to ride by her side for the rest of her life.

She wooed Rosie cautiously at first, spiking her heart rate when she asked if she'd like to "hang out in my bedroom, I want to show you something" only for that "something" to be, of course, her cat. She sealed the deal early on in the courtship with a home-cooked shrimp scampi dish she'd learned from her mother. From there, it wasn't a hard sell to move in together into their Roslindale house in 1991, where they built a flourishing home together for decades to come.

They were married in 2003 at Niagara Falls, when the province of Ontario legalized same-sex marriage. Canada would legalize nationwide in 2005, and the US in 2015, but there was no way Linda was going to wait around for a bunch of old dudes to let her certify that her heart belonged to Rosie. Linda's ardent love for her wife serves as a beacon for what a shared life can be. Their 22 years of marriage were characterized by the cutest PDA, deep mutual respect, and a commitment to supporting each other through life's challenges and their own respective growth and change.

Linda was enthralled by the natural world, and immersed in it. She lived the life aquatic - savoring Vermont's rocky West River and sailing the endless horizon of the Jersey Shore off LBI on her trusty sunfish sailboat, "Cher." On land, she ran, biked, and hiked extensively. She grew a plentiful garden in the backyard, tending to a cavalcade of veggies and berries with gratitude and wonder. She was a passionate and dedicated birdwatcher - the last trip she took was to Costa Rica, specifically to soak up the rainforests' bountiful birding opportunities. She was equally enthralled by the scarlet macaws there as she was by the cardinals at her own backyard bird feeder.

Her greatest love of animals was for her many cats, who were lucky to spend all nine of their lives held in her arms and curled at her feet. Coffee-Bean, Boonah, Smokey, Daisy, Ernie, June, Gypsy, and Harry can't wait to welcome her for some cuddles on the other side.

Linda was clever and irreverent, reveling in the opportunity to thumb her nose at any powers or paradigms that dared impede what and who and how she loved. She suffered no fools. She beat cancer. She stayed intellectually curious. She propagated joy.

For instance: Linda, Rosie's arms around her waist, piloting her vintage Vespa scooter into the epicenter of a packed Pride parade, intent on joining the "dykes on bikes" procession. Undeterred by the realization that the "bikes" in question were roaring Harleys, she revved into their midst so emphatically that she pitched the Vespa into a full-blown wheelie, to great ovation and lasting approbation from her newfound compatriots.

Linda loved gentle competitions, especially when playing with her family. She created the MSYC&CS "yacht club" and looked forward to its annual "regatta" - her name appears more times on the family trophy than anyone else's. And when it came to the weekly family card games, she was almost unbeatable. She never missed an opportunity to spend time with the people she loved most.

Linda channeled her zest for the world into music and art. She punctuated most evenings with ukulele, guitar and singing. She filled many afternoons (and much of her and Rosie's home) with fabulous paintings. In her retirement, she volunteered her time at Roslindale's Hebrew Rehabilitation Center, sharing her creative zeal in weekly art classes. She left the world tangibly more beautiful than she found it.

Linda is predeceased by her parents George and Marjorie Christie.

She is survived by her beloved wife Rosemary, her brothers Ross, David and Stuart, and Pedey the cat. She was the cherished aunt - whether by blood or no - of Graham, Caroline, Lauren, Andrew, Wes, Emma, Vanessa and Kyle.

As Linda headed out to the next adventure, she did so as an organ donor, pausing at the doorway to generously bestow the gift of life to numerous strangers in need.

Our hearts ache with sorrow for this profound loss, and with unending gratitude for the impact Linda made on the lives of every human and cat lucky enough to have known her. Rest in peace, Linda. In the words of Joni Mitchell, who sang you on your way as Rosie held your hand:

"I remember that time you told me / You said, 'Love is touching souls' / Surely you touched mine / 'Cause part of you pours out of me / In these lines from time to time"

A private service will be held at a later date. As a memorial contribution, Linda would encourage you to go out for a walk or bike ride, fill a bird feeder, and just enjoy life. If so moved, she also wouldn't mind if you donated to the Windham County Animal Shelter in Vermont, where she adopted Pedey, and/or the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey.

https://www.windhamcountyhumane.org/tribute-gifts

https://conservewildlifenj.org/donate/