Linda Shute

Linda Shute, age 77, of Massachusetts, passed away on August 19, 2024. Formerly of both Leicester, MA and Cudjoe Key, FL., as well as many other places along the way like Connecticut, Texas, California, and Rhode Island.

Linda was born to Frederick Walter and Priscilla (Jackson) Jewett near Berlin, Massachusetts.

Linda is survived by Kim Shute (Daughter), Gabriel Shute (Grandson), Ellen Onorato (Sister), Bradford Jewett (Brother) and best friend and "adopted" sister Jane Sawyer. She also leaves behind her "adopted" family: Sarah, Jan, Zoe, Eva, and Ellen Mermin as well as Winston Farrell, Matt and Aidan Waugh and Lauren Andrews who showered her with many family gatherings from birthdays to Mother's Day, Easter, Christmases, and Coming of Age events.

She was preceded in death by F. Walter Jewett (Father), Priscilla Jewett (Mother), many aunties, and her son-in-law Rick Osborne.

Linda was a bookworm as a child and continued throughout her life. When she was little her mother had to force her to go outside and, "get her nose out of those books!" She was a member of the first graduating class of Tahanto High School in Boylston, MA. After graduation Linda turned her bookish brain to a career in nursing. She attended Hahnemann Hospital School of Nursing in 1967. She was also in the US Army during the Vietnam era. Linda married young and gave birth to her only daughter. Being a mother and nurse defined her life.

Linda was a permanent fixture on the high school reunion planning committee with three other close friends over the years, it seemed like they were always planning another great party.

Linda worked in maternity as a labor and delivery nurse for many years at Harrington Memorial Hospital in Southbridge, MA. Then she moved to the Florida Keys where she also worked as a nurse in maternity. She was kind, compassionate, and supportive of all her mothers, she was a doula before it was cool.

In retirement Linda was finally able to return to her books. She also enjoyed genealogy, many TV shows, and movies like Perry Mason, Charmed, Columbo, Bones, Psych, Star Wars, and the Harry Potter and Twilight movies. She had an extensive collection of clown figurines.

Upon moving to Rhode Island she was practically dragged to the Edward King House to offer her voice to the Edward King Singers from their very inception. She grew to love it and volunteered to be the props mistress for their productions several times annually. When the group began they were only 6 women and 1 man and they grew to over 20 singers with many concerts and standing room only audiences.

Her father's presence at Pearl Harbor during the bombing in 1941 was the beginning of her strong connection and love of the US military. Linda's interest in the American Legion Post #0162 H. Wallace Woodward in Berlin, MA was a constant source of pride. Memorial Day celebrations were an important part of her life. She was a featured speaker one year for the cemetery ceremony after her inspirational trip to the Women's Memorial in Washington DC. She was moved and delighted to be a part of the Moving Wall Vietnam Veterans Memorial exhibit in 2019 at Touro Park, Newport.

Linda was a New England sports fan including the Celtics, Red Sox and of course the Patriots. Her passion for the New England Patriots and a soft spot in her heart for Tom Brady dominated many conversations and hours of her life. She bought all the clothing the NFL store sold with the Patriots logo on it. People who supported her Patriots were allowed to visit her home with no restrictions, all others were viewed with a heavy dose of skepticism about their character, as "her boys were NOT cheaters! they were simply the best."

Linda was also an avid cook and coffee aficionado. These two activities took many of her earthly hours and just as many dollars:) Linda was a generous soul who loved to buy gifts for anyone she took a liking to and didn't like to balance her checkbook. She had fun though! Linda loved her daughter and grandson with every fiber of her being. Her siblings both biological and chosen were important touchstones throughout her life. They will miss her adorable self, even though she denied being adorable until the very end.

Linda donated for years to the Wounded Warrior Project and would be delighted to see people donate in her honor. If you cannot donate then eat a donut and drink a good cup of coffee in her honor.

A memorial will be held at a future date.