Linda (Blaker) Krause of Noank, died Thursday, June 19, 2014, at The Connecticut Hospice in Branford, of complications following surgery.
Linda is survived by her daughters, Jessica Fay and husband, Kevin, of Raymond, Maine and Miranda Krause Cahill and husband, Dan, of Mystic; grandchildren, Annalyn and Shea; and sister, Cynthia Astle and husband, Ron, of Trinity, Fla.
Linda will be remembered as an inspiring and generous mom, "Gram", sister, friend, mentor, colleague and leader who was dedicated to the spirit of community, remaining always humble in her accomplishments.
Born Dec. 26, 1944, to Helen (Wright) and Arthur W. Blaker, Linda grew up in Yardley, Pa. and taught herself to read at an early age, claiming to have read every book at the Yardley Library. Linda and her family were members of the Yardley Methodist Church where she learned the joy of song and music. As a child, Linda loved skating on the Delaware River Canals, sledding down Black Rock Hill and exploring down by the creek.
In 1955, her father built the family fishing camp, Spider Web Blaker's, on Sebago Lake in Maine where she boated, swam, waterskied and made lifelong friends.
Linda graduated from Pennsbury High School in Yardley in 1962 and moved to Boston to attend Simmons College where she earned her degree with honors in economics in 1966. During her college years, Linda became a Red Sox fan, taught sailing on the Charles River, spent a semester at American University in Washington, D.C., traveled cross country to San Francisco in a VW Beetle and met and married John Krause, with whom she had two daughters.
Earning her master of community planning degree from URI in 1977, Linda began her distinguished career in planning in the Town of Ledyard, first as zoning and wetlands officer and then planning director, followed by 27 years with the Connecticut River Estuary Regional Planning Agency, becoming executive director in 1995. In 2012, she guided a merger of planning and other governmental resources from 17 towns to form the Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments and continued on as the agency's executive director.
Throughout her career, she served on countless committees, task forces and boards both regionally and for the State of Connecticut. Linda's involvement in her southeastern CT community began with a Navy Wives Club in 1969 and continued with the League of Women Voters, membership at St. Luke's Lutheran Church and many other civic organizations. As an elected official in Groton, first serving on the RTM, then town council and as Groton's mayor, Linda represented the town well with her ability to build a consensus to accomplish common goals.
In addition to reading, Linda's favorite pastimes through her life included x-c skiing, canoeing and kayaking and travel to Maine and the Canadian Maritimes. Saturday mornings with her beloved Breakfast Club, listening to her diverse musical collection, watching a ball game or NASCAR race, sewing and beading were some of her simple pleasures. She had an affinity for stars, birds, interesting rocks and always admired the beauty in nature, especially the sunlight through the trees and on the water.
Linda was her grandchildren's loving "Gram", a master of pretend play, who shared her sense of curiosity and creativity with her family and friends and all who loved her.
Linda's family extends infinite gratitude to those who provided care and support for her and family through her life and during her illness and passing.
A memorial gathering will be held at 5:30 p.m. Monday, July 14, at the Mystic Arts Center. Donations in Linda's memory may be given to the Mystic and Noank Library, 40 Library St. Mystic, CT 06355, or Lakes Environmental Association, 230 Main St., Bridgton, ME 04009.
To share a message of condolence or remembrance with her family, please click the link below.