Linda Lifsey Hughes, a radiant force of love and creativity, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on December 3, 2024. Known to many as "Mama Linda," she connected hearts, built bridges, inspired dreams, and leaves a legacy of joy and kindness, faith, and beloved community.

Born in Harlem on March 30, 1959, Linda's life was a symphony of passions. From her early years in the Ralph J. Rangel Apartments, she learned ballet and flute - earning admission to the Music & Art High School. She danced with the Dance Theatre of Harlem. She played flute as a soloist at Carnegie Hall, with jazz-great Hubert Laws, and in the orchestras on Broadway. After high school, Linda studied music education at Boston University and City College of New York, where she also co-captained its tennis team.

A semi-professional tennis player, skilled photographer, mindful gardener, and ardent connoisseur of world cuisines, Linda embraced the fullness of life, plunging headlong into new challenges. She took up skiing as an adult and persisted, despite ending up on crutches after her first trip – soon introducing dozens of family and friends to new sacred places: Attitash, Bretton Woods, and Deer Valley. When the snow melted, she cherished morning walks along Martha’s Vineyard’s Ocean Avenue, chatting up strangers doing yoga. As they did their sun salutations, Linda captured the golden light of morning with her camera. Such moments of connection and wonder with people and nature were signature Linda.

Despite a shy streak, Linda had an irrepressible sense of adventure. When she finally faced her fear of whitewater rafting, she was ejected from the raft on a class 5 rapid, and broke a leg. Yet, she treasured the trip and happily recounted her exploits. After a Jackson 5 concert in Manhattan, Linda and a friend met the Jacksons, who, learning they were flutists, insisted they bring their instruments to the group’s hotel. A memorable jam session ensued. As special assistant to the president of Wellesley College, Linda was point person for commencement speaker Oprah Winfrey.

In 1985, Linda relocated to Boston, beginning a career in higher education at MIT, and later working at Wellesley. Yet, Linda discovered her true professional calling in education and diversity work at The Chestnut Hill School and Walnut Hill School for the Arts. Linda’s varied roles—from music director and founder of the Chestnut Hill School for Music, to inaugural Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging at Walnut Hill — allowed her to meld her passion for arts with her gift at creating spaces where everyone felt welcomed, valued, and heard.

At the center of her many passions, Linda was the heartbeat of her family, cherishing her roles as daughter, wife, mother, aunt, sister, and godmother. Married for 35 years to Bill Hughes, their steadfast love and partnership encouraged and inspired many. Together, Bill and Linda raised two remarkable daughters, Sara and Alyson – the light of Linda’s life.

Linda’s faith in Christ was her foundation, and she joyfully served her faith communities in myriad ways. Her jazz flute “Amazing Grace” and singing, “People Need the Lord” were standouts. At New Covenant, Linda founded a tutoring program that helped countless young people access and thrive in college.

As a non-smoker, athlete, and singer, Linda’s 2014 lung-cancer diagnosis was a shock. Her team at the Massachusetts General presented hopeful yet risky ways to battle the disease – amputation of a lung and experimental medicines in clinical trials. Despite harsh side effects, Linda persisted through chemotherapy.

Facing the challenges of her illness, Linda remained steadfast in living and giving. She constantly sought out how she could inspire and bless others - and allowed her story to be featured in a photo gallery of cancer challengers at Boston’s City Hall. Through it all – even when the cancer resurfaced and the treatments became unbearable – Linda helped others embrace life fully, listen intentionally, and find beauty even amidst hardship.

Linda is survived by her beloved husband, Bill; cherished daughters, Sara and Alyson; devoted sister Raven Mills and brother-in-law Hampton Mills; niece Jade Mills-Little; nephews Hampton Mills, Jr. and Nigel Lifsey; godchildren and an extended network of family and friends who were touched by her warmth and wisdom. She now joins her Savior, whom she trusted wholeheartedly.

A celebration of Linda's extraordinary life will be held at Bethel AME Church, 38 Walk Hill Street, Jamaica Plain, MA, at 11AM on December 18, 2024. In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to Walnut Hill School for the Arts, care of the Linda Lifsey Hughes Endowed Fund for Equity and Access (https://givebutter.com/Z752CO) ensuring that her commitment to community and education endures.

Linda taught us all to see beauty, to listen with intention, and to live with purpose. Her light will forever illuminate the path for those of us blessed enough to have known her and be known by her, to have loved and been loved.

An obituary story by Boston Globe writer Bryan Marquard appears here:

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2…

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