Linda MacMurray Gibbs

Linda MacMurray Gibbs, 80, passed away after a brief illness on March 19, 2021 with family at her side. We are heartbroken to see her go, but know she is now in peace. For those that knew her, Linda embodied the words of William Shakespeare, “though she be but little, she is fierce.” She was a loyal friend, an inspiring leader and a dedicated mother and grandmother. She is survived by her son, Todd Belveal, daughter Shannon Reid (Colin Reid) and her beloved grandchildren Conor and Cayleigh. Over her long career as a Head of School and educator, Linda influenced countless lives and the messages we received from friends far and wide were a comfort to her and us during the last days of her life. She was a natural leader and mentor and gave her all to everything she set her mind to do.

Born in Nashville, TN, Linda attended the Harpeth Hall School, received her undergraduate degree from Hollins College and her graduate degree from Wesleyan University. She was a long time teacher, administrator and leader at Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa, FL from 1965 through 1985 before moving to Garden City, NY to become the Head of the Cathedral School of St. Mary. She went on to work as a Director with the National Association of Independent Schools, helping to educate and inspire others to lead schools as Heads and as Board Members. In 1994, she moved to Memphis to lead the Hutchison School before moving to NYC as Head of School at the Hewitt School in 2001. Her years at Hewitt and in NYC were among the best of her life. She retired from Hewitt in 2010 and moved back to Tampa to be close to her grandchildren and worked as an executive search consultant for independent schools for 9 years before finally retiring fully in 2019.

We will be hosting a memorial service in Mom's honor on April 10, 2021 at 2 PM at Blount & Curry MacDill 605 S. MacDill Ave. Tampa, FL. The family will receive guests at 1 PM. For anyone wishing to honor mom’s memory, we request donations in lieu of flowers to the Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa, FL or the Hewitt School in New York, NY.

Mom, we wish you peace and love. You were a force of nature and set an amazing example for all of us. We will see you again, and please know we love you with all our hearts.