Linda Washington

Linda Louise (Beach) Washington, 77, of Carolina Shores, North Carolina, and formerly of Holyoke and South Hadley, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on September 8, 2026, in Charleston, South Carolina, following a period of illness, with her family by her side.

Born in Holyoke on October 4, 1948, Linda was the beloved daughter of the late Harold Beach and Ernestine Louise (Liebeck) Beach. She graduated from Holyoke High School and Westfield State College and remained proud of her Holyoke roots and German heritage throughout her life. She spent more than 30 years living in South Hadley and always held Massachusetts close to her heart.

Linda devoted 34 years to teaching in the Holyoke Public Schools, including E.N. White School, Maurice A. Donahue School, and Dr. Marcella R. Kelly School. She took great pride in teaching and enjoyed creating engaging projects for her students.

Linda and her husband, James Thomas Washington, celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on August 7, 2026. They shared a devoted marriage and many traditions, including their longtime Friday night pizza.

Family was at the center of Linda’s life. She treasured family vacations, Christmas Eve gatherings, lifelong friendships, and sharing stories from years past. She loved the beach and, when traveling, always appreciated “a room with a view!” She also loved music, and Cabaret was her favorite record. Linda and James made Carolina Shores their home in 2006.

Linda is survived by her husband, James Thomas Washington; her son, Jeffrey Harold Washington; and her daughter-in-law, Rachael Marie Washington.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Linda’s memory to the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund, 300 Arnold Palmer Boulevard, Norton, MA 02766. Donate Online