Linda Louise (Gerecz) Rich

Dr. Linda Louise Rich, 70, of Newbury, MA, passed away on Wednesday, October 30th, 2024 in Anna Jaques Hospital, Newburyport, MA. 

Linda was born on July 28, 1954 in Evanston, IL to Louis C. Gerecz and Helen M. (Alk) Gerecz. She had an older brother, Louis C. Gerecz Jr.

Linda grew up in a Hungarian immigrant family; they were passionate about creating strong community ties in the Midwest and pursuing the American Dream. The family moved to South Bend, IN where Linda graduated from La Salle High School in 1972.

Linda attended Purdue University where she was a member of the Alpha Phi sorority and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English. At Purdue she met George G. Rich and they married in 1976 shortly after graduation. They wanted nothing more than to have a family and had two children, Heather Linn Rich and Christopher Carter Rich, both born in Portland, ME.

Linda was a lifelong learner and was passionate about education. She went on to achieve a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Georgia State University, School Psychologist certifications from Boston University and a Doctorate of Education from Boston College. She devoted her career to public education as a school psychologist. She loved teaching and counseling students and being a part of the school community. She retired from the Chelmsford, MA public school system after 32 years of service as a public educator and school psychologist.

Linda was a grandmother to Heather’s three children, Loclan, Deckard and Sophia. It gave her wonderful joy to play games with them, read to them and would often play on the floor with them for hours, never seeming to get tired. She shared her love of reading with them, always making suggestions on the newest book series.  She was also going to be a Grandmother to Christopher’s son (to be born in February 2025). She recently attended Christopher’s wedding to Jessica, which brought her so much happiness and loved visiting Christopher in California over the years.

Linda was an avid reader, animal (especially cat) lover and Boston sports fan. She was a big-time movie buff and loved going to the movies. She enjoyed the beach, all genres of music, going to her favorite restaurants, traveling to new places and learning about history and culture. She was an active member in her local church. Linda was a gracious and caring person who made everyone in her life feel important and loved.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents Louis and Helen Gerecz, her brother Louise Gerecz, Jr. She is survived by George G. Rich (div. 2005), daughter Heather L. (Tom) Stein of Rye, NY with grandchildren Loclan, Deckard, and Sophia, and son Christopher C. (Jessica) Rich of Alamo, CA with expected grandson.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on December 7, 2024 at 10am at Parish of St. John the Baptist, 17 Chestnut St, Peabody, MA 01960. Reception to follow immediately after the service. Burial will be private at a later date. The Twomey, LeBlanc, & Conte Funeral Home 193 High St. Newburyport, MA 01950 is assisting Dr. Rich’s family with her arrangements.

 In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Humane Society of the United States at (https://www.humanesociety.org/)

To offer online condolences please visit www.tlcfuneralhome.com

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