Linda (Shepherd) Aganski

Linda Shepherd Aganski died on Thursday, August 1, 2024 at her homestead in West Newbury, MA after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was surrounded by her husband of 46 years, Paul Aganski, and her daughter, Rachel Shepherd Aganski. She passed peacefully into the arms of her Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. She was 76 years old.

Linda was born in Joplin, MO on April 28, 1948. Her dad, Dayton Doris Shepherd, was a life-long educator and superintendent of public schools. Her mom, Juanita Roberta Gandy Shepherd, was a church educator, occasional retail sales person, and a loving and sometimes mischievous but fun person.

Linda grew up splitting her time between southwest Missouri, North Carolina, and, most of all, Central Connecticut. The family settled in Connecticut because of her father’s education at Yale University and subsequent job offerings. Later in life, her love of travel took her to many places including Canada, Europe, Africa, and Asia where she met Mother Theresa.

Linda taught for 37 years in the public schools. Most of those years were spent at the Rupert A. Nock Middle School in Newburyport, MA. Circa 1977, Linda was taking evening classes at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary to augment her considerable teaching skills (her specialty was world cultures) when she met Paul who was a student there. During their courtship, Paul’s family quickly grew to love and welcome Linda in part because she already knew how to Greek dance (thanks to a student’s parent). Linda grew up Southern Baptist, married a Greek Orthodox, in an Episcopal church, and worshipped in the Anglican tradition until Alzheimer’s brutally invaded her life. She was an ecumenical gem who read her Bible every morning. That’s what faithful disciples do; a powerful witness.

Linda was an avid gardener. She was happiest when she was digging in the dirt. The flowers from her gardens still declare the glory of God and leave behind markers of joy for family and visitors. The Almighty’s gardens will be all the better under her care.

She was also an exemplary teacher and role model. She was formally recognized as a master teacher in the Newburyport, MA public schools. But more than that, she was known at church as a master teacher of the Christian Holy Scriptures to adults. In her capable hands, the Scriptures came alive. Both her former public school students and church school students still express fond memories of her. She changed hearts and minds for the better. She lived what she taught.

Besides being survived by her husband and daughter, Linda is survived by a son, Seth Shepherd Aganski.

Calling hours will be at the Elliott, Woodworth, & Rogers Family Funeral Home on Green Street in Newburyport, MA on Thursday, August 8th, from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M.

A funeral service will be held at All Saints Anglican Church on Friend Street in Amesbury, MA on Friday, August 9th, at 10:00 A.M.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her name to All Saints Anglican Church of Amesbury, MA and to the Alzheimer’s Association.