Linda J. Bass

She was born to the late Robert and Evelyn Johnson on September 9, 1943, in Hartford, CT. She graduated from Manchester High School in 1961 and spent the summer after graduation traveling across Europe with her Girl Scout troop. She married her devoted husband Stephen Bass in 1970. The two of them traveled and lived all over the United States for Steve’s career as a nuclear power plant operator before settling in Zion, IL for 12 years, and then relocating permanently to East Sandwich, MA in 1983.

Linda had a variety of jobs and volunteer activities ranging from fire tower watch in Arizona to the secretary at Christ Chapel church in Centerville. Her last employment was in the front office at Sandwich High School for 6 years. She loved being part of the school community and developed wonderful friendships with teachers and administrators. She also loved trying to make a difference in kids’ lives, especially those that found themselves in the office on a regular basis, often slipping them lunch money and offering words of encouragement.

She was a devoted volunteer for the Plymouth Bay Girl Scouts, even receiving the highest-ranking Service Unit Management Award for overall operational unit success in 1986. She stepped in as interim director of the Sandwich Recreation Department for a year, built an entire girls softball program in town, ran the SHS Boosters Club and was named Volunteer of the Year by the Sandwich Broadsider.

Often referred to as MacGyver, Linda was incredibly clever and adept at fixing things and solving problems. She consistently impressed friends and family with her array of knowledge on a variety of subjects. She could identify a bird by its song and name plants by their leaves. Animals would eat out of her hand. She was also an incredible athlete. She regularly bowled 180, shot in the 80s in golf, threw a baseball like a pro and could swing an ax like no other. In her later years, she relished watching women’s sports, in particular women’s golf and her beloved UCONN Women’s Basketball team.

Most importantly, Linda was an extraordinary mother, wife and friend. Her daughters are convinced she was the greatest mother to ever live. She cherished her deep friendships, particularly her best friend Kathy Currier, as well as her friends from SHS, her SOFI investment club and all of her other walks of life.

Linda is survived by her husband, Steve Bass, her daughters Tracy Wilson (Ted) of Norwell, MA, Wendy Bass (Marc Sailer) of Darien, CT and Lisa Sailer (Eric) of Scituate, MA; her brother Roy Johnson and his wife Patti; her sister Donna Carlson; her six grandsons Griffin and Colton Sailer, Tommy and Luke Wilson and Jack and Ryan Sailer; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Guiding Eyes for the Blind. A celebration of her life will be held at the Dan’l Webster Inn in the Music Room from 2-4pm on Saturday, January 7, 2023.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.nickersonbournefh.com for the Bass family.