Reverend Linda Johnson Reilly


Reverend Linda (Johnson) Reilly, age 65 of West Roxbury, MA and Boynton Beach, FL, passed away on June 18 following a brief illness. Her husband and son were by her side. Linda was the beloved wife to Barry J. Reilly for 47 years and a loving mother and grandmother to Shaun Reilly, wife Megan and granddaughters Madelynn and Elizabeth of Newton, MA. Linda was a loving sister to Lois Thiergart and husband Otto of Pensacola, FL, Barbara Goguen and husband Ray of Harwichport, MA, and Phil Johnson and wife Linda of Westbrook, ME, and the late Ann Edington and husband Clem, formerly of Sandown, NH, and a loving aunt to many nieces and nephews. Linda also cherished her friends and faith community in Massachusetts and Florida.

Linda was raised in Ashburnham and was a bright student who graduated from Cushing Academy. She fell in love with Barry soon after her high school graduation and they were married in 1971. Linda and Barry raised their son in Dracut, MA before moving to Wilmington, MA and eventually splitting their time between West Roxbury and Boynton Beach. Linda was a working mom who graduated summa cum laude with a degree in philosophy from UMass Lowell and a Masters of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School. She devoted her personal and professional life to others and spent much of her retirement active in the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ. Linda was politically engaged and was always willing to lace up her marching shoes to support the social causes that she cared about. In the last ten years of her life, Linda reveled in the joys of grandmotherhood and spent countless hours playing games, reading and swimming with Mady and Elizabeth.

Friends and family are invited to celebrate Linda’s life at a memorial services on Saturday, July 14 at 11:00 a.m. at Edwards Church, 39 Edwards Street, Framingham, MA, 01701. Guests are welcome to join the family for a lunch at the church following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Environmental Ministries Fund of the Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ. Please make checks out to MACUCC and include “Environment” on the memo. Checks can be sent to MACUCC, 1 Badger Road, Framingham, MA, 01702.

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6 Condolences

  1. Sandra Catalano on June 27, 2018 at 11:37 pm

    Uncle Barry and family, I’m so very sorry to hear of Aunt Linda’s death. My heartfelt love and prayers go out to you. Rest Easy Aunt Linda. Xoxox



  2. betsey krause on June 29, 2018 at 12:08 am

    Barry Linda was a great gal friendly fun loving She surely will be missed Betsey and Phil Krause Boynton Beach Fl



  3. Rev. Rona Tyndall on June 29, 2018 at 10:01 pm

    So sorry to hear of this great Christian woman’s passibg. Linda was a tireless advocate for the poor and homeless and I will always look back on her courage, tenacity and compassion with gratitude.



  4. Reverend Donna Spencer Colkins on June 30, 2018 at 4:47 pm

    I have known Linda since 1997, when she served at Cromby Street church and shelter. She married my mother in law Madalyn Spencer to her husband Chet who had been devorced for over 20 years. Madalyn was a commissioned minister and served with Linda at Cromby Street.

    Lynda served with me at the mass conference. Over the years she encouraged me and supported me in my discernment and joined in the celebration of my ordination
    She was a straight shooter. I loved her for that. She had a passion for Love and Justice and put her whole being in making a difference for the under served. I believe she has heard the words from her beloved Jesus, “well done, good and faithful servant!” Good night dear friend till the morrow…



  5. Samantha Camacho on July 2, 2018 at 1:33 pm

    I am at a loss for words. Auntie Lin was always someone who I looked forward to seeing at a family get together because I knew it was going to be a good time, also we were gaurenteed to have her famous ambrosia salad. She always had a funny story to tell. I am sorry Uncle Barry and family for your loss. Auntie Lin you will truely be missed by everyone.



  6. Christie Parker on July 5, 2018 at 3:37 pm

    Peace and comfort to family. I will cherish my fond memories of Linda forever. She was a guide in care and comfort.



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