Jeanne (Babbitt) Linacre

A proud native Bristolian, Jeanne Babbitt Linacre passed away very peacefully on Friday morning, June 2, 2023. She was born on September 18, 1941.  She left this world as she lived her life – her way on her terms but did everything to make it easier for her family.  Jeanne was ready as she had recently seen her family and friends, who surrounded her with love whether that was physically or on the phone, and because she had her family together, she decided it was perfect timing – her way.  

She leaves behind her loving husband of 45 years, Peter Linacre of Liverpool, England who was also a big part of the community of Bristol for the past 38 years.  Jeanne grew up in Bristol on Court Street and was the daughter of Amy and Lenwood Babbitt, and the sister to Deborah Fisher and her partner Frank Giodorno, and Lenny Babbitt and his wife Ellen Babbitt.  Jeanne also leaves a daughter, Amy Higgins and her husband Brian, a son Hank Kowalski, another daughter who resides in Liverpool Emma Linacre, and two more sons, Stuart Linacre and his wife Kim, and Jeffrey Linacre.  She was so so loved by her grandchildren Melissa and Jonathan Higgins, Tiffany, Jarred and Seth Kowalski, and Miriam Thirwall, and she adored her great-grandchildren Isabella, Hope, Karlee and Brayden.

Jeanne had a true passion for music and the arts, and because of that her family enjoyed many holidays around the piano singing 12 Days of Christmas and showtunes!!  Jeanne taught many children and adults to play the piano and would host recitals in her home for her students and family – making people feel happy and special was so easy for her, it was her God given talent. One of her favorite gigs was playing for Bristol High School choir and theater. Peter and Jeanne were also very active in local choirs and bands where they met an amazing community of friends.  She also loved painting in her later years with her best friends, she cherished this gift while on Cape Cod where she and Peter spent much of their time.

Her love for Bristol is evident through her 80-year-old friendships, her Babbitt family legacies, and to her unwavering devotion to the Fourth of July Committee where she instituted the First Cultural Night 25 years ago. These nights have gone on ever since and have been major contributions to the committee and Fourth of July Fund, she loved every minute of every day of anything Fourth of July.  Although Jeanne and Peter lived a wonderful ten years in Liverpool where Jeanne opened two successful retail boutiques, which she brought to RI ten years later when she and Peter moved home to Bristol and she opened Amy Jeanne’s Clothing Boutique on Hope Street - Jeanne was a true Bristolian and most at home in Bristol where she will be laid in her final resting place. 

Somewhere Over The Rainbow…. RIP Jeanne aka Blossom, Mom, MAH, Grandma Jeanne, sister, aunt and wonderful friend!

Her funeral services will be held Saturday, June 17th, 10 AM from the George Lima Funeral Home, 367 High Street with a Mass of Christian Burial, 11 AM at St. Mary’s Church, 330 Wood Street.

Calling hours are Friday, 4 - 7 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Community MusicWorks, 1392 Westminster Street, Providence RI 02909, or online at www.communitymusicworks.org. 

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