Linda Christie Moynihan

Linda Christie Williams Moynihan age 82. Born August 21, 1939, in San Francisco, CA. Moved to Nashville in 1943 with parents, Dr. Amos and Margaret Christie, when her father became Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Linda attended Parmer School and graduated from Harpeth Hall in 1957, where she was President of the Student Council, elected Lady of the Hall by students, and received an Outstanding Leadership Award presented by the faculty. She attended Northwestern University and was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Women’s Fraternity. While raising her children Linda had an impressive volunteer history serving on many Boards of Directors, numerous times as President; for example: Nashville Symphony Guild, Nashville Children’s Theater, McNeilly Day Home, United Way of Middle TN, and the Council of Community Services. She was a founding member of Friends of Monroe Carell JR. Children’s Hospital at V.U.M.C. Linda’s professional career began in 1976 when she became a lobbyist for the TN Conference of Social Welfare (TCSW). Originally a part-time position at TCSW, she also worked for several years as a research associate with the Vanderbilt Institute Public Policy Studies, culminating in several publications concerning issues for chronically ill children and their families. In 1988 Linda became the full-time Executive Director for TCSW with the mission to promote the social and economic well-being of Tennesseans. During her 30 year career she garnered numerous awards as well as the friendship and respect of many state employees and State Legislators as she advocated for a variety of programs to empower the poor and the working poor in TN. Predeceased by her husband of 26 years, William F. Moynihan; parents, sisters -in-law: Mary Crower (Jim), Kate Moynihan; Ruth Ellen Moynihan O’Neill; brothers-in-law John Moynihan (Joan) all of Holyoke, MA; Francis Moynihan of Avon, Ct. Also, brother-in-law, Al Williams, Jr. (Martha) of Topeka, KS and stepdaughter, Ellen Moynihan Black (Joel) of Waverly, AL.

Survived by children: Christie Anne Williams, Margaret Cheairs Johnson, Cynthia Williams Kraft (Doug); John Greenlaw Williams, Jr., and Linda’s “foster child” Helen Taylor Martin, Ph.D.  (Mark Mims) of Boulder, CO. Also survived by stepson Michael Graves Moynihan (Wendy) of Savannah, GA. Also survived by: Sharon Moynihan of Avon, CT, and sisters-in-law: and Mildred Moynihan Hannigan of Holyoke, MA. Also survived by grandchildren Ashley Reed Johnson (Christina), Summer Graves Humphry (Matt), Elizabeth Greenlaw Johnson Bulmer, Sarah Becton, Benjamin Patrick Moynihan, Bryant Cheairs Johnson, Franklin Vincent Johnson, Thomas Connery Johnson, Alexandra O’Brien Williams, Katherine Grace Murphy, Brooke Ellen Black, Shelby Black, Greg Kraft, and Alexandra Kraft. She is also survived by 8 great-grandchildren, and a niece Kathleen Williams Heit (David) and great niece Morgan Anne Heit of Topeka, KS along with numerous other nieces and nephews.

Linda was an only child, as were both her parents, so the large extended family she acquired over the years was among her greatest joys. Other passions began with ballet, which she studied with Albertine Maxwell during elementary and high school; cooking for gatherings and special occasions with family and friends; and gardening, which occupied much time in her early retirement years. She was a member of the Junior League of Nashville, Friends of the Monroe Carell, Jr. Children’s Hospital at V.U.M.C. and Friends of the Nashville Ballet.

Grandchildren will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers include Linda and Michael O’Neal, Gardner and David H. Smith, Helen Harris Dale, Margo and Jim Elder, Tommy and Mickie Andrews, Patty Murphy, Janie and Kevin Justis, Robert Nicolas Fabian Junior and Michael and Stacey Fabian.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Amos Christie Endowment Summer Scholarship Fund@ Vanderbilt Alumni https://vanderbilt.alumniq.com/giving/to/mtsp?appeal=MFW04# or to the charity of your choice.

Private family burial to be held.