Marilyn Linden

Born in 1932, Marilyn was almost 86 years old at the time of her death. She fought a courageous battle against the dementia that eventually resulted in her passing. Marilyn, was an exceedingly intellectual and cultured woman, who up to the time of her final decline, could still be seen carrying the New York Times, though she could no longer read it.

Marilyn attended the University of Wisconsin and was very active in promoting civil and human rights. She was a member of the University’s earliest interracial rooming house. Before graduating, she met and married Dr. Bernard R. Linden. They eventually settled in North Caldwell, New Jersey where they raised three children. She later finished her degree at UPSALA College in New Jersey. In addition to obtaining her degree, Marilyn was an active Democrat who was a member, and eventual president, of the local chapter of the League of Women Voters.

Marilyn lost her beloved husband at a young age, leaving her to raise their three children as a single parent. She was unique among her peers as she took over her husband’s cheese manufacturing and importing business at a time when many of the women of her generation were not yet working outside the home. Her political activism and devotion to equal rights became a personal reality as she battled against the sexism that was inherent in an entirely male dominated industry. Despite this circumstance, she was a successful businesswoman and took great pride in achieving equal status as a business owner in her industry. In addition to her career and children, Marilyn was passionately devoted to the Children’s Institute (now called Spectrum 360) and spent a third of her life serving the school for autistic children through fundraising and board service.

After retirement, she attended Drew University for many years and took a great variety of literature courses. She was also an avid supporter of the arts and attended plays, operas and museums locally and in New York City. In her last two years she lived in Providence, Rhode Island near her daughter. Thank you to all the wonderful caretakers from Right at Home and Wingate Residences on Blackstone who helped make her last two years as full as they could be.

Marilyn was a woman with incredible courage and strength of character. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She leaves behind her three children, Jonathan Linden, Todd Linden MD and wife Monica Dugot, Jane Linden DVM and spouse Betsy Grenier and her brother Martin Ritter and wife Donna. She also leaves behind five grandchildren whom she adored; Conrad and wife Laura, Max and wife Maria, Emmanuelle, Lucienne and Robin Linden, as well as a brand new great grandson Tristan Maddox Linden, named in her honor.

Funeral services will be held on Monday June 11th at 1:15pm at Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel in Livingston, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to her favorite and beloved charity The Children’s Institute /Spectrum 360 of Livingston, New Jersey.