Linda M. Rasmussen

Linda M. Rasmussen, Director of Major Gifts at Hampshire College, died at home on June 5, 2003 from cancer. She was 63 years old. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Rasmussen grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She lived in Hamilton, Wenham, North Andover and Lynn, MA, Marshall, MI, Poughkeepsie, NY, and finally in Amherst, MA since 1996. Rasmussen was the first of four children born to Richard A. Rasmussen M.D. of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and the late Dorothy Shively Rasmussen. Born on January 30, 1940, she graduated from East Grand Rapids High School in 1958 and went on to graduate from Vassar College with a degree in history in 1962. In July of 1962 she married Ralph W. Lowry of Wakefield, MA and together they had five children, Deborah, Marcia, Richard, Robert and William. She was predeceased by a son, Richard Charles Lowry who died in 1968. Rasmussen earned a Masters of Public Administration from Northeastern University in 1983. Formerly with Programs in Business and Management (PMBI) of Lesley University in Cambridge, she continued in the field of Development at Olivet College, where she later received the Award for Leadership in Individual and Social Responsibility. She went on to work in development at Vassar College and Deerfield Academy. Most recently she worked at Hampshire College as the Director of Major Gifts in the Office of Institutional Advancement. She particularly enjoyed her work, meeting alumni from across the country on her travels for the various schools and colleges. She was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Society in Amherst MA, where she served on the Board of Trustees, on the Finance Committee and on the Hospitality Committee. She served as a Board Member and Finance Chair of the League of Women Voters of Amherst and had a long association with the League in the different communities where she lived. She was also a member of the Planned Giving Group of New England, Women in Development of Western Massachusetts, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, the Women’s Board of Olivet College, the National Museum of Women in the Arts, the Nature Conservancy, the World Wildlife Fund, the Girls Club of Greenfield, MI, as well as a sponsor of the Dakin Animal Shelter. Ms. Rasmussen loved people and always made time to share her life with others. She was also an avid gardener who loved birds and animals. In 2001, she traveled to the Galapagos Islands to observe wildlife and ecological efforts there. She loved and cared for her dog Jenny and cat E.J. She enjoyed travel, music, swimming, poetry, opera, and visiting with her children and three grandchildren. Rasmussen is survived by her father, Richard A. Rasmussen of Grand Rapids, MI, a sister, Karen Schaefer of Watkinsville, GA, two brothers, Eric Rasmussen of Olympic View, WA and Richard Rasmussen also of Grand Rapids, MI, her former husband, Ralph Lowry of Acton, MA, two daughters, Deborah MacLean of Lawrenceville, NJ and Marcia Lowry Maloney of Natick, MA and two sons, Robert Lowry of Leverett, MA and William Lowry of Charlestown MA, three grandchildren, Hannah and Christopher MacLean of Lawrenceville, NJ and Catherine Maloney of Natick, MA. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service gathering on Saturday, July 12 at 3:00 PM at the First Congregational Church of Amherst, 165 Main Street, Amherst, MA 01002, (413) 253-3456. The service will be followed by a reception at Hampshire College. Donations may be made to the building fund of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst, to Hampshire College, or to the Dakin Animal Shelter.