Linda M. Knopf

Mystic - Linda M. Knopf, age 87, of Mason's Island, Mystic, died peacefully in her home July 5, 2024. She is survived by her long-time partner Oliver Wilson; and son Peter Knopf and his wife Mary. The youngest of the three Downing girls, Linda now joins her sisters, Barbara Blake and Carol Ljostad (and husband Ed Ljostad) and their parents, Florence and Lester Downing. Harmoniously, Linda now also joins her daughter Leslie Knopf. As loving sister-in-law, aunt, great-aunt, great-great-aunt and grandmother, Linda is survived by Alan Blake and wife Lynn, Gary Ljostad, Laurie Ljostad, Jan Childs and husband Paul, Winter Marshall, Cory Brulotte and wife Megan, Abby Brulotte, Jocelyn Camacho, Avery Grace Brulotte, Erin Gaspar and Anthony Gaspar. In loving concordance, Linda is also survived by her partner's daughter, daughter-in-law, and children: Wendy Russell and husband William; Bernice Wilson; Lauren Russell, and Kyle Wilson and Ian Wilson.

Linda was born in New York City (Silver Beach), Nov. 28, 1936. After graduating from SUNY New Paltz, marrying Robert Knopf, starting a family and raising two children, Linda went on to earn a master's degree in community counseling from Fairfield University. She devoted the rest of her career - and much of her life in general - to helping those around her to improve their lives. Linda originated the Domestic Abuse Services of the YWCA of Greenwich to provide adult training and counseling. In her 17 years of directing this program, she touched countless lives. For the teens in her community, she and Carol Ramsay, another leader for social advancement, organized the Youth Network (formerly Young Women's Network) program to provide counseling to the students at Greenwich High School impacted by dating abuse.

Linda was active in her neighborhood and in her community. On retiring to Mystic, she became active with the Mystic Women's Club, two book clubs and a bridge group. Many in her Mason's Island neighborhood enjoyed the annual and ad hoc events she helped to organize, including a winter solstice walk, block parties and celebrations of summer. Relishing in the serene beauty and delights of beaches and the sea shore her entire life, Linda's greatest joy was to be out sailing and gunkholing on the waters of Long Island Sound, from Westchester and Greenwich to Mystic and beyond.

A memorial service will be scheduled and announced in the coming weeks. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider instead a memorial contribution in Linda's name to the YWCA of Greenwich for its ongoing Domestic Abuse Services, now known as the Harmony Project (ywcagreenwich.org/what-we-do/domestic-abuse-services-for-victims) or the Mystic Woman's Club (PO Box 632, Mystic 06355) in support of their Phelps Scholarship Fund.