Obituary: Linda Negangard Stuhlman, 75, of Madison & Clinton

Linda Negangard Stuhlman, 75, passed away on March 28, 2022, surrounded by her loving
family, following a courageous battle with cancer. She was preceded in death by her husband, James, who had died on March 22nd, 2022, and their daughter, Gretchen.

Linda is survived by her two sons: Luther (Stephanie) of New Cannan, Bradley (Guillermina) of
Kings Beach, CA; her five siblings: Ginny Negangard, David (Dawn) Negangard, Jane (Richard)
Ritchie, Rita Negangard, and Karen (Stan) Pietrzyk; her nephew: Benjamin (Claire) Pietrzyk,
and niece: Jana (Matthew) McGregor, as well as her three grandsons: Connor, Jack and Lucas,
who brought her so much joy.

Born February 2, 1947 in Milan, IN to Lowell and Harriett Esther (Walker) Negangard, Linda
was loving, intelligent, kind, courageous, dedicated, and nurturing throughout her life.
She was a graduate of Milan High School (1965), and then Purdue University (1969) where she
studied Family and Consumer Sciences. She earned her Masters of Education in 1976 from the
University of Connecticut where she held a concentration in Family Studies.

Linda started her teaching career in Connecticut as a Home Economics teacher at New Britain
Junior High School, and then at Daniel Hand High School, in Madison, CT, before purchasing
the Red Barn Children’s Center, in Clinton, CT, in 1979, with her husband, Jim.

She served as the Director of the Red Barn for 37 years developing an acclaimed early education
program and summer camp. The Red Barn’s leafy campus served as an idyllic environment for
her to raise a family.

Linda was a vocal advocate for early childhood education and a member of a number of
nonprofit organizations involved in helping young children and their families. In 2004 Linda
helped found the Best Beginnings program in Clinton, CT. She was also a prominent member of
the Middlesex United Way Education Committee and the National Association for the Education
of Young Children. Over the course of her career in early childhood education Linda was
recognized as the Clinton Board of Education’s Business Person of the Year and received a
Community Impact Award.

For Linda, part of enjoying her life was working in an educational environment. Following her
retirement from the Red Barn and throughout her battle with cancer, Linda continued keeping
busy as a para-educator at Jeffrey Elementary School in Madison, CT, and working as a
education consultant.

Linda was an amazing mother, wife, sister, daughter, aunt, grandmother, friend, and educator.
She lived fully. Keep her in mind with her motto: Be safe, be kind.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to:
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to: Discovery to Cure
https://wizathon.com/campaigns/1497; the Clinton Sailing Club. https://clintonsail.org/asp-
products/donate-and-join/

Family and friends are invited to celebrate the life of Linda and Jim Stuhlman at the
Clinton Country Club (128 Old Post Rd, Clinton, CT 06413) on May 28th, 2022 between
the hours of 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM.