It appears when Rev. Howard Haywood gets onto the elevator to heaven, he’ll see a familiar face.
Linda Plaut, whose title was Newton’s Director of Cultural Affairs — but who did so much more — has passed, according to the Festival of the Arts Facebook page.
I’m so sorry to hear about Linda. She was a very special person and we were beyond lucky to have her.
What a lousy weekend! The loss of these two Newton legends is immeasurable. I hope that our community can continue their passions so their spirits and work live on for generations.
What a terribly sad wkd for #NewtonMA Another community icon has passed away. Linda was an advocate for all things arts, culture & community. Most importantly she would always say an enthusiastic “Yes!” to anyone that walked into her office with an idea that would promote the arts or community (& then you would walk out Chairing the event because you couldn’t say “No” to Linda !) RIP Linda ❤️ You left a wonderful legacy. I’ll miss your spirit, wit & laughter.
So sad.
Wanted to share this: https://village14.com/2017/11/19/how-did-linda-plaut-become-linda-plaut/#axzz5fnkP5s00
Linda was such a force of good. My early introduction to her wonderfulness was in a Time for Partners class. Years later we would work together on Village improvements. She was so supportive when I reached out to her for advice on launching the Tour de Newton. Honestly I am having a hard time thinking about Newton without her. I hope she and Howard are hanging out in heaven, maybe with Aretha singing to them!
Linda gave her heart and soul to serve this City. She loved everyone, especially the kids, who worked with her on so many community projects. Sending her love and peace and sending her family and all her knew her, love and prayers.
Linda Plaut and Rev. Howard Haywood, two people from very different backgrounds who gave so much to this city. Both gone from us now, within days of each other. So sad.
One was a native New Yorker who adopted Newton and made us a growing home for the arts. The other a Newton native, a leading representative of the city’s historic African American community, who fought fiercely for civil rights and affordable housing. I’m honored to have known both of them over the past several years. A grateful community should not forget Linda and the Rev. Haywood. My condolences to their families and may they rest in peace.
Oh no! She was always such a force for all the best things about this city. I’ll miss her.
Here’s Linda telling in her own words how she became the Linda Plaut we all know.
My wife and I first met Linda Plaut at a Bill Staines concert at the Jackson Homestead more than 40 years ago. We attended the concert with our daughter who was then a toddler. Linda welcomed us all and was particularly happy to see us bring a member of the younger generation to a Newton Arts event.
What surprised us was that Linda remembered us the next year and once again welcomed us. Given how many activities Linda was involved with, we were stunned that she knew us a year later.
This demonstrates how much warmth Linda had and her immense ability to connect with people.
We will miss her and so will all of Newton.
Such a sad weekend in Newton.
Linda was a big part of what made Newton such a special place to live. It seemed like she was everywhere, producing a constant stream of events and programs to make our community stronger and more enjoyable. We will miss her.
Another great loss for Newton. Linda’s enthusiasm for arts in our city and her appreciation for others were unmatched. I’ll miss her smiling face. RIP Linda
Condolences to Linda’s family and loved ones.
Linda warmly and eagerly supported my art for over thirty years. She was an inspiration. I agree that it is comforting to know that she and Reverend Haywood will be able to hang out together.
Very sad. Linda has always been very supportive and helpful in Asia and Chinese cultural festivals and other events promoting cultural diversity in Newton. I also enjoyed her wit and humor as well as Jewish culture heritage that she shared with me. Rest In peace Linda. Thank you very much for what you have done for our community and we will miss you❤️
I am so, so sad to read this news. Linda was a city treasure and a genius at recognizing opportunities to bring people together and strengthen civic bonds. Her philosophy was to “just say yes,” and she always practiced what she preached; 18 years ago, when Barbara Litwin and I wanted to start a Halloween Window Painting Contest in Newton and approached the city with our idea, Linda immediately said yes (despite the fact that the plan probably sounded ridiculous at first). Thanks to Linda’s leap of faith, the Halloween Window Painting Contest has become a Newton tradition, and Linda then got us involved in other Newton activities. I am so grateful that Barbara and I had the opportunity to visit with Linda a couple of weeks ago; Linda being Linda, she was still brainstorming other ways for us to get involved in the city she loved. It is very hard to imagine Newton without her.
A treasured colleague, Linda was an exemplary citizen of our City. Her can do approach and spirit of inclusivity are her legacy along with all of the wonderful annual events we’ve come to take for granted- New Years open house, July 4 festivities, concerts on the Green… and so may more. May her memory be a blessing to her family and our community.
My friend and I met Linda 14 years ago at a Newton outdoor concert she had organized and we mentioned that our young kids really need an indoor play space in the winter. Within weeks, Linda got it done — organizing volunteers to clean up and paint the gym at the shuttered Carr School, getting the word out, and making it a big success. She was a force of nature that made Newton a better place in so many ways. She’s one of the more remarkable people I have ever had the pleasure to have known.
Linda Plaut will always be remembered for energy and commitment to Newton. Her passion for bringing people together through the arts and unique cultural programs made Newton the very special community that it is today. I’m truly grateful for her contributions.
I can only say how glad I am to see so many people feel the same as I about Linda Plaut. What a fine person she was! I feel privileged to have known her.
I worked for her just few months in her home she was a person of a very big, and appreciates what you do for,its was really a very sad news to me, condolence to Julie and John ,and the entire family. RIP
I worked for Linda shortly in her home, she was such a nice person with big heart, who appreciates what ever you are going for her we shall miss you dearly, condolences to Julie and John, and entire family. RIP