Linda Carlisle died peacefully, surrounded by her family after a long, courageous battle against cancer, on April 7, 2022 in Boston. She was 68 years old. Linda was proud of her roots in Pullman, Washington, where she was raised by her loving parents, Sherry and Bill Carlisle, alongside her two sisters, Cinda and Tammy. During her time at Pullman High School she was actively involved with many clubs, was a Cheerleader for the PHS Greyhounds, and served as the Editor of the school newspaper before graduating in 1972. She attended Washington State University, where she fostered her love for politics and governmental affairs by serving as the Student Body President in her senior year. She was WSU's first female Student Body President. She graduated in 1976 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science before attending Columbia University, where she earned a Master's degree in Public Affairs and Administration. Linda subsequently worked as Director of Management Programs at the Institute of Public Administration and held several positions in New York City governmental agencies, most recently as Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Policy and Planning at the New York City Child Welfare Administration. She also served as an adjunct Professor at the Columbia University School of Public and International Affairs during this period. Linda moved to Boston, Massachusetts in 1993 to accept an appointment by Governor William Weld as Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Social Services (DSS) following a turbulent period at the Department culminating in a Blue Ribbon Commission Report outlining needed change at the agency. Linda brought strong management skills to the job, as well as compassion for children, families and those who work on their behalf. During her six years as Commissioner she would not only steady DSS, but advance critical initiatives implementing significant changes to the state's child welfare system. She received numerous awards and recognition for her work at DSS. Linda left DSS in 1999 to focus on her family and raising her children. Consistent with her career-long passion for public service, she was named co-chair of Governor Charlie Baker's transition team in 2014 and Acting Child Advocate for Massachusetts in 2015. Linda's professional and civic activities were extensive — she served the public as an appointed member of the Massachusetts Court Management Advisory Board for the Chief Justice of Supreme Judicial Court, on the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee of Boston Children's Museum, on the Executive Committee of the Brookline Education Foundation, and as President of the Brookline Library Foundation Board. She later shared her wisdom and insight as a seminar faculty member at Suffolk University's Moakley Center for Public Management, mentoring many students along the way. Linda met her husband, Robert Mast on May 2, 1992 at a Kentucky Derby party in New York City. As their love grew, the two quickly became inseparable. They married on June 3, 1995 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, at the former Hasty Pudding Club in a ceremony officiated by Governor Weld. Bob and Linda raised two sons, Robert Mast III and William Mast, in Brookline, Massachusetts, as well as co-parenting Bob's daughter Katherine Mast. Linda cherished and loved being a wife and mother. She was an avid traveler, collector of art, crafter, and award-winning ballroom dancer. Her greatest joy was her three children. With boundless generosity and zeal, she encouraged them to explore and develop their passions — whether in the arts, sports, education, or the outdoors. Linda gave her all to her children in order to provide them with opportunities to see and experience the world. Later in life, Linda found great joy in being Nana to Kate's children Bodie, Graham, and Wyatt, and brought equal passion to her role as grandmother. Never was she more happy than when spending time with her loved ones traveling the world, sitting on the beach on Block Island, or simply entertaining company in the home she built. In addition to her beloved husband, children, and grand-children she leaves behind her sister Tammy, loving members of her extended family, and countless friends from coast to coast. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Cinda. Linda was a natural leader, mentor, and friend to the many people she touched throughout her life. Her impact was far reaching and her warmth and compassion felt by all she met. We who knew her strive to embody the same kindness and empathy for others that Linda exemplified. Illustrated by her family, community, and influential career in public service, she constantly put others before herself, even when she hardly knew them. She was truly the pebble that created ripples that will be long felt, and she will be greatly missed. A Celebration of Linda's life will be held on June 2 from 3:00- 6:00pm at the Charles River Country Club in Newton, MA. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Tanzanian Children's Fund, the Brookline Library Foundation, or the Women's Foundation of Boston.