Daughter of Anna Marion McCloskey and Ralph Trenton Reid, survived by her sister, Laura Ann Reid Liles, and her daughter Estella Jane Gold. Linda was a well-loved teacher until her death with ALS. A scholarship was established in her name. She is also the co-author, with Kathy Emery and Sylvia Braselmann of "Lessons From Freedom Summer: Ordinary People Building Extraordinary Movements," a history of the civil rights movement in Mississippi.
"As a high school history teacher for over ten years, I highly recommend this book for my fellow teachers. The primary source documents, suggested activities and thought-provoking approach to learning about Mississippi Freedom Summer are invaluable...." Noted educator Howard Zinn wrote the introduction. Biography and scholarship info.
Packer Mourns Linda Gold, Beloved English Teacher Anonymous donor establishes scholarship fund in her memory March 2009 The Packer community mourns the untimely passing of Linda Gold, a cherished member of the faculty here for almost 30 years, on February 18, 2009 after a brave battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - Lou Gehrig's disease. "A dedicated teacher, she brought wit, grace and an infectious love for her subject to our entire community," Head of School Bruce Dennis wrote in a letter to members of the Packer community. In her memory, the Linda Gold Scholarship Fund has been established at Packer with an anonymous gift of $150,000. The Gold Scholarship will provide financial aid to up to four Upper School students who have an excellent academic record and a strong interest in English. Each year, beginning in 2009, either a rising 9th grader or an incoming 9th grader will be named as a Gold Scholar, and there will eventually be a Gold Scholar in each grade of the Upper School. The Scholars will receive additional financial aid above and beyond the formula amount of up to $2,000 per year for each year in Upper School, as long as they maintain strong academic performance. An Upper School English teacher since 1979, Ms. Gold made a strong impact on Packer outside of the classroom, too, as a publications advisor, a senior thesis advisor, an instructor in the professional development program, and as a curriculum coordinator of several exhibitions in the Carol Shen Gallery. Even during her "down-time," she taught students at Prep for Prep, an organization that prepares promising students of color for placement at independent schools throughout the city. From 1985 to 1987, Ms. Gold held the Frank L. Babbott Chair of Literature and Arts. In May 2007, she was awarded the Parent Association Excellence in Teaching Award. At a farewell party at Packer last year, four of her fellow English teachers read stacks of memories and thank-you notes from alumni and colleagues. Those whom she inspired to become writers and English teachers themselves affirmed Ms. Gold's legacy. Other alumni described the energy, spontaneity, and personality with which she infused each class. All said they were lucky to have had her as a teacher. After learning of her passing this winter, more former students posted sentiments on the Packer Collegiate Alumni Association page on Facebook: Ms. Gold was the first person to teach me the art of writing - how to create life, beauty and emotion with words. I remember her as such an enchanting teacher -the way she would read lyrical prose in an almost ethereal voice and her eyes would flutter in conversation. I feel so honored and blessed to have had her in my life. She was one of those key people who help to shape you and challenge you to be a better person. "While our entire community grieves the loss of this wonderful educator, we feel a strong measure of pride for providing our students with an abundance of extraordinary teachers, exemplified in the excellence Linda Gold brought to Packer," Dr. Dennis stated. "This scholarship is a fitting tribute to Ms. Gold, and we invite all members of the Packer community to remember her by making a gift to this fund in her memory." Your gift will increase the amount of the awards that will be available to Gold Scholars every year. To make a gift, please visit www.packer.edu/makeagift, click the "Endowment" button and note in the "special instructions" box that your gift is for the Linda Gold Scholarship. Alternatively, you may make a gift to Annual Giving in memory of Ms. Gold.