Linda (Eastman) Barron, formerly of Belchertown, Massachusetts, died on Sunday, June 1 at the age of 85.  Linda was born in Winchester, Virginia; raised in Barre, Vermont; and attended college in Boston, Massachusetts before settling in Belchertown, where she raised her family and lived for nearly 50 years.  

Linda lived her life with grace, compassion, and integrity and dedicated much of her life to the service of others.  She was devoted to her family and friends, her community, and, of course, the Boston Red Sox.  Above all, she loved her family and friends deeply and was deeply loved in return. She will be missed immensely. 

Linda graduated from Spaulding High School in Barre, Vermont where she was named valedictorian of the Class of 1957.  She continued her education at Fisher College and spent her early professional career in Boston.    

In 1970, Linda and her husband Bill moved to Belchertown, where they raised two children.  Professionally, Linda held positions at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Smith College, but her passion was public service.  Linda built a legacy of service to the town of Belchertown that spanned more than thirty years. Linda began her career in local politics as a member of Belchertown Residents Action Coalition for the Environment (BRACE), a grassroots organization that successfully advocated for the mitigation of groundwater contamination in Belchertown. Town officials unaccustomed to grassroots advocacy dubbed BRACE's members ‘rabblerousers and troublemakers,’ a moniker they proudly embraced as many members became more involved in local government., Linda was quickly tapped to become Belchertown’s Hazardous Waste Coordinator, and she managed the campaign of fellow BRACE member, JoAnn Newman, who became the first woman to serve on the Belchertown Board of Selectmen (as it was then known).  

Linda continued her service to the community as a member of the Belchertown Finance Committee and went on to win election to the Belchertown Select Board six times, serving for 18 years, from 1988 through 2006. After retiring from elected politics, Linda continued to serve the town as a member of the Board of Registrars (of voters) and through many community organizations.  In 2017, Linda moved to Virginia to be closer to her daughter’s young family, but Belchertown always held a special place in her heart.  

Linda is survived by her son, Robert and his wife Amanda Van Lankvelt, and their son, Truman Van Lankvelt, all of Leverett, Massachusetts, and her daughter, Catherine Bridget Barron and her husband Thomas Manning, and their children Emma and Benjamin Manning, all of Chantilly, Virginia.  She also leaves two stepdaughters, Marguerite Barron Goff, her husband Robert, and their daughter, Dawn Reedy, and Anne Marie Barron, her husband Robert Buckland, and their children Gregory, Katherine, and Christine Buckland.  Linda also leaves five great-grandchildren, Bryton, Ethan, Cody, Owen, and Luke, who brought her great joy.  Linda was predeceased by her husband, William Barron; her parents, Truman and Hazel (Patten) Eastman; and her brothers, Daniel and David, a baby who died in infancy. 

Visitation will be held at the Beers and Story Funeral Home, 10 Maple Street, Belchertown, on June 6 from 9:30 – 11:30 am.  A funeral service will be held at the Hope United Methodist Church, 31 Main Street, Belchertown, on June 6 at 12:00 pm. Burial will be in South Cemetery following the service.  

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that those wishing to honor Linda make contributions in her memory to The Hospice of the Fisher Home, 1165 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01002 or to the Belchertown Historical Association, PO Box 1211, Belchertown, MA 01007.