In Memoriam: Life Celebration Set for Longtime Rumsonite, Teacher, Actress, Fly Fisherwoman Linda Borden McKean

Longtime Rumsonite Linda Borden McKean died peacefully at her home on June 2. Her celebration of life is slated for Sept. 11 at Rumson Country Club.

Linda Borden McKean
Photo/family via Thompson Memorial Home

“Born in 1928 in New York City, Linda was a teacher, community leader and fisherwoman, as well as a much loved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend to many. Linda’s skill as a fly fisherwoman was legendary. With her husband, Shaw, she traveled and fished around the world — New Zealand, Iceland, Argentina, Chile, Russia, Yugoslavia, Canada, the Caribbean, Alaska, the Catskills, and the Western U.S. — and regularly put other fishermen to shame. Linda shared her passion and love for fishing, crabbing, gardening, and cooking with her children and grandchildren …
Educated at The Brearley School, Bennington College and the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre, Linda worked as an actress. She appeared in multiple Summer Stock Theatre productions, the Clare Street Theatre and on Off-Broadway, with a featured role in A Streetcar Named Desire.”
Loved ones of Linda Borden McKean in her obituary

Descended from the Borden Mills textile family in Fall River, MA, which included the notorious Lizzie Borden, she grew up in New York City and Rumson. In 1952, she married Q.A. Shaw McKean, and moved to Rumson, New Jersey.

She taught remedial reading at The River Street School in Red Bank for more than a decade, and later became a reading and drama teacher in the New York City Public School System. In 1985, she received a master’s degree in teaching from The Bank Street College of Education, and continued working as a part-time drama teacher in the NY City Public Schools.

“Drawing on her experience, she developed and led theater and poetry workshop programs at Fountain House (1987-1991) and then at Venture House (1991-2021), both national mental health nonprofits in New York City. An active community leader, Linda served as a trustee of Rutgers University, board member of the Leopold Schepp Foundation, president of the Mary Owen Borden Foundation and the Shrewsbury Foundation.”

Linda is remembered with much love by: her surviving children and their spouses, Cressida McKean and Russell Borthwick, Quinn and Lisa McKean, and Jocko and Cindy McKean; six grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters.

A celebration of her life will be held on Sept. 11 at 12:30 p.m. at the Rumson Country Club, Rumson. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to Venture House, 150–10 Hillside Ave, Jamaica, New York 11432.

— Edited obituary prepared by family via Thompson Memorial Home