Linda Susan Kirkman
May 10, 1960 - August 17, 2025
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Linda Susan Kirkman, 65, of Salisbury, MA, and formerly of Warren, VT.
She died peacefully in the presence of family on Sunday, August 17, 2025, after complications of treatment for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She faced her diagnosis, and all treatments along the way, with grace and courage and the support of her family and friends. Even in the face of illness, she kept her humor about her and her faith in something greater than herself.
Linda grew up in Needham, MA, and attended Boston University to study opera. In the 1980s she moved to Vermont, where she raised her three children. Linda performed in several bands throughout the years, with a regular following in the Burlington area. Whether she was listening to it, singing on stage, or singing for herself, music was the purest expression of her soul.
In addition to her music, Linda’s life was defined by a deep connection to nature. She spent many of her days in her yard in Vermont with her children and beloved pets, playing guitar, and maintaining her beautiful flower and vegetable gardens. Her knowledge of plants and flowers was vast, and she passed on her love of the outdoors to her children.
After decades in Vermont, she eventually left the mountains and returned to the sea. Linda was truly at peace and felt the freest near the ocean. She cherished Salisbury Beach in Massachusetts, a place tied to her childhood, where she later returned to live.
Above all, she took the utmost pride in her kids, and her heart was fullest in recent years with the arrival of her three beautiful grandchildren. She was a deeply devoted nana and "Naynay" to them and will be greatly missed.
Linda is survived by her parents, Ronald & Joan Kirkman; sisters, Gail Kirkman & Jen Kirkman; her children and their partners: Ali & August, and their children Penelope & Oskar; Zac & Patsy, and their daughter Everly; and Buffalo & Kaitlin.
A private celebration of Linda’s life will be held in Massachusetts this September, where family will gather to honor and remember her.
In Linda’s memory, please consider donating to the North of Boston Cancer Resource, or registering with Be The Match to see if your donation just might save someone’s life. She was never able to formally thank her donor, but was given one more wonderful year of life because of her.
