Linda Maxwell-Crowe

Whether you were telling her of heartbreak and disappointment or sharing joy and elation, Linda Maxwell Kuhnmuench Crowe always seemed to understand. And she would rejoice or mourn right along with you. She had a special capacity for compassion and empathy and, when needed, she stepped in and acted on it. Just days before Linda died, Jaime Jackson Larsen sent Linda this message: “Everything I have today is because you took me in and guided me through when I needed someone like you the most." Linda passed away Feb. 13, 2024, in West Hartford, Conn. surrounded by the love of her sister, Suzanne, her sons John, Jeffrey, Zachary and Maxwell as well as dear friends who visited days earlier. She was 80. “Linda was a kind, loyal, generous and loving friend,” said Liz Florio, former neighbor and friend of 38 years. Born to John and Patricia Maxwell on Dec 13, 1943 in West Hartford, she was the oldest daughter among the family’s six children. She attended Putnam Academy and went on to graduate from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis. in 1967. She married John Kuhmuench and the couple had two boys, John and Jeffrey. The pair later divorced and Linda went on to marry screenwriter Christopher Crowe and moved to Los Angeles where she would live for more than 45 years. She and Christopher had two boys, Zachary and Maxwell. Linda was a devoted mother, making countless trips to Tar Pits museum, the tide pools at the beach in Tarzana, surf shops, craft stores and spent many an hour helping them with elaborate homework projects. “One thing for certain is that she loved her boys,” said close friend Sanna Stein. She was a consummate caretaker, pampering family and friends with exquisite cooking, insisting on the freshest ingredients, and was known to send one shopper back to the store with vegetables that weren’t up to her standards. She loved hiking in Coldwater and Laurel canyons near her longtime home in North Hollywood, and cherished times walking her beloved dog, Boxer, through the hills. Linda was an avid reader, a quiet intellect and happiest in later years when surrounded by her books — poetry, philosophy, history, spirituality, psychology. “So intelligent and innately wise,” Sanna added. Linda also suffered loss and trauma and struggled with strained relationships. But she was a survivor and most often used her hurt as a blessing to minister to other women in need of healing. Beauty for ashes. She sought solace and wisdom through dream work and wilderness excursions. She was courageous and loved to tell stories about her times sleeping alone in the desert. She took pride and pleasure in tutoring friends’ kids, reading them classic books and opening their hearts to the world in a special way. She loved scarves and all things cashmere, simple and elegant clothes. Sterling silver over gold. Dark chocolate. At 5’2” and never more than 110 pounds, Linda was petite in stature, but filled the space around her with kindness, love and laughter. A unique soul whose presence on earth will be deeply missed. Linda was preceded in death by her daughter Laurie Wade, brothers Robert, Jeffrey, John (Terry) Maxwell and sister Laurie Maxwell. She is survived by sister Suzanne Bailey-Gates, sons John and Jeffrey Kuhnmuench, Zachary and Maxwell Crowe, and grandsons Maxwell and Bodhi Kuhnmuench. A memorial is being planned for spring in Los Angeles. Donations can be made in her honor to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Linda Maxwell-Crowe

February 13, 2024