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Linda Brennan Obituary
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January 21, 1952 – December 1, 2024
Memorial Service will be held on December 12, 2024, 11:00am at The First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton, 1326 Washington Street, West Newton, MA, 02465
Linda Brennan, 72, passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer.
Born in Boston, MA, to the late Rose and Arthur Brennan, Linda was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, educator, and friend. She is survived by her devoted husband of 49 years, Robert Lee; her loving children, Jacqueline Washington and her husband, Kendell Washington, and Chris Lee and his wife, Courtney Lee; and her cherished grandchildren, Raekwon Washington, Zoe Washington, Myles Washington, Maddox Washington, Camden Lee & Carson Lee, all Newton, MA.
Linda graduated from Jamaica Plain High in 1969. She pursued her passion for education, earning degrees from Boston Business School, Salem State and Boston University, where in 1978 she completed a Master of Education.
Linda's teaching career spanned numerous institutions, including Aquinas College, Newton, Mass Correction Institution, Pathways Program, Framingham and Lesley University, Threshold Program, Cambridge. In addition to her dedication to education, Linda was a successful Realtor for over 40 years, most recently working with Compass Real Estate in Chestnut Hill.
Known for her strong work ethic, sharp wit, unwavering loyalty, and generosity, Linda embodied strength, integrity, and kindness. Her family and work were the pillars of her life. She was a selfless and resilient woman who touched countless lives and will be deeply missed.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Mark Neem
February 26, 2025
I was introduced to Linda in 2007, when she sold me a beautiful house in Newton. Linda was a most compassionate, kind and a loving soul. She will be missed by me tremendously.
Ivan Aguirre
December 31, 2024
Threshold Lesley is where I had the chance to meet Linda Brennan. Linda was a great professor and also a a great friend who always wanted to know what people like me and even my girlfriend Bianca were up to. Me and Bianca are Threshold Lesley´s Alumni´s. I´m from Class 1998 and Bianca from Class 1997.
Best Regards
Ivan Aguirre
Alexis Brickner
December 12, 2024
I had the pleasure of working with Linda in the photographing of her many real estate listings. Linda was nothing sort of a pleasure to work with and was always a true joy to be around. I am so happy that I was able to know her during her lifetime and be able to call her one of my favorite clients.
Condolences to Linda's family. Please know that I am thinking of you all during this difficult time.
Alexis (Marie) Brickner
Linda Maturo
December 11, 2024
Linda Brennan could light up a room with her good humor. She had an uncanny knack for sharing her many life stories that always softened the focus of any situation. She was caring and kind -and so knowledgeable in so many ways. What made Linda stand out from others was her willingness to reach out and give someone a chance -regardless of their situation. She saw the good, the potential in people no matter the circumstances. I admired her and am grateful that I could call her a friend. I feel sorry for those who will never have the chance to get to know Linda Brennan.
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Donna Marchand Gordon
December 11, 2024
Linda and I taught at Aquinas College in the late 1970s. Besides being a wonderful colleague she was the best of friends. Her pragmatic willingness to reach all students set her apart from other teachers. She will be remembered for her kindness, thoughtfulness and wonderful sense of humor.
Donna Marchand Gordon
Donna Keegan
December 10, 2024
Linda was my big sister Janice´s best friend. When Janice went through difficult times Linda supported her every step of the way and remained a loyal friend. I feel blessed to have known her. Rest in peace Sam.
Ruchi & Anmol
December 8, 2024
Linda's warmth, wisdom, and unwavering kindness touched the lives of all who knew her. For us, she was not just a real estate agent; she was a guiding light, helping families find their dream homes and offering support every step of the way. Her deep understanding of the market and genuine care made what could have been stressful experiences truly memorable.
Her legacy of compassion and professionalism will continue to inspire all who knew her. We will miss you Linda!
Jennica voegler
December 7, 2024
Linda Brennan was a great person. I enjoyed having her as a teacher at the Lesley Threshold program. I will miss her very much.
Jimmy & Karen Murphy
December 7, 2024
Linda was one of our oldest and dearest friend. I have known her from heath street project days and right up to the present time. She was smart, witty, and a tremendous hard worker who strived to get things done. This might not be politically correct, but when she was 13 years old and just got her working papers, she tried getting a job in a donut store in Jamaica Plain. She heard that the owner only hired well endowed girls. Linda decided to stuff her bra with tissue paper. Needless to say she was hired. Along the way of life through marriage and kids, there was so many laughs. Once we were up skiing, Linda and Danny messing entertained us all night till 5 in the morning with her quick wit and stories. Our faces and stomachs were so sore in the morning from laughing so much. Linda´s business sense and timing was impeccable. I spoke with her once a week regarding real estate and stocks. We always had a tear producing laugh. My favorite thing was to visit Bobby and Linda at there boat in Boston marina. There was always a couple of glasses of wine, food, and numerous comical stories. Linda will be sorely missed. All our love to Bobby and the kids.
Lauren Dudley Hallett
December 6, 2024
I remember my first year of Threshold. I didn't know anybody, wasn't really sure how to make friends as a college student, and was shy with everybody. When I walked into the classroom at University Hall for the first time, Linda welcomed me to the classroom she was teaching in for our first semester of first year very calmly and welcoming. Letting students choose what they wanted to learn in her class, while mixing in some of her own curriculums, made me feel special.
After class each day, I would tell her that I felt shy to make friends. She encouraged me to try in a very professional way. After when I told her I struggled with learning how to calculate tips at a restaurant, she took matters into her own hands to teach me that too, but in a way I never learned before. Math teachers at my private high school taught me to move the decimal point over to get the answer for how much you tip. But did you move the decimal to the left or the right? Do you move it forward so its in front of the numbers or behind? Linda Brennan made it so much more simpler for me than I ever could imagine it getting. She saved me from a long road of constant confusion.
"All you do is box the first number Lauren." She would say, showing me on her whiteboard in the classroom, "and then you double the amount. So if the problem is 18.00, you box the first number and double the first number, so 1+1=?" "2." I would say. "Exactly." she would reply, happily. "So if the bill is 18.00, you tip 2 dollars. "Now do you know what the bill would be if it was a larger amount? Like 113 dollars?" She would ask. I shook my head no, having no idea. "You would do the same thing, except instead of boxing only the first number, you would box the first TWO numbers. I looked up at her astonished. Two numbers? I thought. "That seems scary." I told her. She smiled with a little laugh, and said, it's really not. She took her pencil and drew a box around the first two numbers. I looked at the numbers she boxed and saw that it made 11. "So what is 11 + 11?" She would ask me. I wrote out the problem and did the math, then answered. "22." I said. "Brilliant! You got it!" She replied. I looked up at her beaming. "I'm so proud of myself. Thank you for teaching me that." I'd say. "You should be." She told me. Then she would say to all of us, my whole class, "You all are such talented and amazing students. I am so honored to have you all in my class again this year/semester." Hearing that, coming from a teacher in a student's point of view, really made me feel good, and with the struggles I faced in threshold, that was just one of the very few things that I held onto through my journey there.
Jessica Golden
December 6, 2024
Linda was one of my favorite teachers at Thershold. She always upbeat and smiling. Every student was absolutely fabulous.
I learned so much from on how round up or down to next dollar on food bill at a restaurant. A never forget my receipts from bank machine to balance my check book.
She was absolutely fabulous teacher. I"l miss her
Love Jessica Golden 2005
Jeffrey Rediger
December 6, 2024
Hi Jackie, I just want to say that I´ve been thinking and feeling about your mother a lot in recent days. She was such a gift from heaven above in my life and played a pivotal role during a time of real crisis for me. I will miss her presence in my life terribly and am certainly a better person for having known her. I so appreciate you letting us know.
Adam Roberge
December 6, 2024
I am sorry to hear about the passing with Linda she was a great personal finance and consumer education instructer during my two years at the Threshold program at Lesley University
Andrea
December 6, 2024
Thank you Linda you where an amazing teacher with the threshold program and you will be missed by all of us!!
Eleanor jones
December 6, 2024
Threshold Lesley
Jennifer sullivan
December 6, 2024
Linda was my teacher at Lesley threshold program she was so nice loved have her as my teacher I will miss her she helped me alot with anything math related and budgetting we also talk alot since she lived in newton prays for the family may she be bless and here favorite song girls just wanna have fun!!!!
Susan Roberts
December 6, 2024
Dear Jackie. Andrew and I adored your mom. She introduced us to Threshold which was life changing for Andrew. She helped me navigate the Newton property market. She was a truly beautiful person. Our deepest sympathy.
Susan Roberts and Andrew MacKinnon
Casey Robinson
December 5, 2024
Thank you so much for telling me the difference between needs and wants
Robert Hanley
December 5, 2024
Fond memories of Linda with Bob at Boston Yacht Haven Marina.
Bob Hanley & Lisa Altobello
Alexa
December 5, 2024
I remember when Ms. Linda asked me what field I was interested in while I was vacuuming she signaled me to turn it off sit and chat which was unusual because we never really talked it was mostly hi ,goodbye and good afternoon . Ms. Linda asked me if I was really sure about wanting to be a medical assistant , when I told her I was she was so supportive and even offered me advice , it may have not seemed much to her but it did to me and for that I´m very thankful
Teddy Hess
December 5, 2024
Linda can´t believe ur gone i remember your words every day watch your money
Leonor
December 5, 2024
My first memory of linda was meeting her 6 years ago talented ,caring,kind and funny . Linda and her family always treated us like family and helped us out . My family and i are and always will be thankful for having the opportunity of meeting Linda and her family
Sarah Munro
December 5, 2024
Linda, you were the best teacher that taught me to always stay on my budget and teaching me how to handle my money anywhere I went around Cambridge. I loved how you gave me the sweetest comments on my Facebook posts. You also mentioned to me to never live on the first floor at any apartment in Cambridge because break ins always happen. I´m going to miss you rest in the sweetest peace and watch over me and others :) love your student sarah Munro
Tammy Jessica Hill
December 5, 2024
Linda told me how good of a student I was when I attended Lesley. Appreciated hearing that.
My confidence to everyone who knew her!
Alexandra Elisabeth Aronson
December 5, 2024
I am going to miss you Linda. You helped me reach my full potential and you never gave up on me. You gave me the tools to live independently. I remember the books you gave me. One was a cook book that I just found in our garage. I haven't used it yet but I am thinking of making meatloaf. The other book taught me how to prioritize needs vs. wants, how to look for apartments with a refrigerator since not all of the older houses or apartments come with refrigerator or dishwashers you taught me how to make up a budget in order to afford a place to live. You helped me to learn how to be successful. I will cherish everything you taught me in class. Thank you, Linda. My condolences to your family. Alexandra Aronson class of 95
Olivia Smulyan
December 5, 2024
Dear Linda thank you for being an important part of threshold your caring towards me and all the alumni meant the world to me I´ll miss the fun times and will
Miss you forever
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365 Watertown Street, Rt. 16, Newton, MA 02458
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