Linda Amelia Moody, M.Arch

Born in Manchester, NH, on April 11, 1953, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Amelia Moody. In 1975, she graduated from Clark University in Worcester, MA. Linda’s work on affordable housing through Rural Housing Improvement, Inc. and through the VISTA and Community Action weatherization programs inspired her to pursue a career in architecture. She earned a Master of Architecture from MIT in 1984.  After becoming frustrated with limited opportunities for a female architect in area firms, Linda founded her own firm, Linda Moody & Associates Architects.

In 2006, Linda earned her pilot’s wings, then purchased a plane and for many years, thoroughly enjoyed the freedom of flying. Even after she stopped flying, she could be found at the Nashua airport watching the planes take-off and land! As a member of The Ninety-Nines, an all-female pilots’ association (whose first president was Amelia Earhart), Linda participated in three demanding four-day national air races in 2008, 2009 and 2012. Linda also held leadership positions in the Eastern New England chapter of the Ninety-Nines. 

In Pepperell, MA, where Linda and Steve designed and built their own home, later featured in Fine Homebuilding magazine, Linda served on the Planning Board and the Conservation Commission and enjoyed membership in the Garden Club. 

She volunteered at the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, NH, leading tours of their Frank Lloyd Wright house. As a volunteer at the Animal Rescue League in Bedford, NH, Linda and her niece, Andrea, socialized bunnies to prepare them for adoption. Linda also fostered them and at one point had 12 bunnies in her care at home! Her most recent adoptee is her well-loved bunny, Gracie.

Linda loved art since childhood. She was a museum goer, art appreciator, and art collector. Art fills every wall of their home. She loved to express herself through her own multi-media art. She most recently worked in watercolor, creating stunning torn-paper collages of seascapes and landscapes. Linda expressed a desire that her art would be her legacy. It is well deserved.

Linda is survived by her husband, Stephen Russell; sister Barbara Moody; mother-in-law Stella Russell; sister-in-law Maureen and husband Greg; brother-in-law Dan and wife Judy; brother-in-law Peter; niece Andrea; nephews Josh, Jesse, and Adam and two grandnephews; and long-time friend, Margaret Montore. She was predeceased by her brother-in-law Tim.

Linda will be warmly remembered by all who knew her.

A celebration of Linda’s life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, December 9 at McGaffigan Family Funeral Home, 37 Main Street, (Rte. 113) Pepperell, MA. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Linda’s memory to The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden, 145 Bolton Road, Harvard, MA 01451 (https://healinggardensupport.org/donate/) where Linda enjoyed many art and yoga classes.