Lynda (McCabe) Plante was born on November 30, 1945, to Evelyn (Milley) and Maurice McCabe.  She grew up in Rothesay, New Brunswick, Canada.  Lynda was the baby of the family, with brother Bob twelve and sister Carole nine years older.  The family was drawn to the outdoors.  Lynda spent her early years following along her siblings around the shores of the Kennebecasis River where the family would beach and fish.  Lynda developed a passion for horses, riding and competing in horse shows.  Any time Lynda talked about her childhood, there were always horses.  She carried this passion throughout her life and until very recently, made annual trips to ride in the Berkshires of Massachusetts. 

Lynda’s father Maurice worked as a longshoreman in Saint John.   Maurice succumbed to a short illness and passed away prior to Christmas in 1961 after Lynda had just turned sixteen.  With Lynda’s siblings having had married and started families, she and her mother were alone in the home and were forced to make the difficult decision to sell their home and many of their belongings to move to the United States where they would settle with Lynda’s aunt in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Lynda attended Foxborough High School, graduating in 1964.  Lynda’s resilience and personality, always fun-loving and radiating warmth, allowed her to build her new life in the States.  Mom was socially active and participated in the Foxborough High School marching band.  

After high school, Lynda made several trips to Europe to visit Bob and Carole at their various Canadian government and military postings in places such as the Netherlands, Brussels, and Paris where big brother Bob advised Lynda to stay away from the boys!

Lynda married Norman Rice in 1966 and lived in Attleboro for many years and gave birth to Michael and Peter Rice.  Lynda brought the love of the outdoors to her family.  Summers were spent camping, hiking, and canoeing in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and basking in the sun at Horseneck Beach and the winters were for skiing! 

Though Lynda lived away from her siblings in the United States, Lynda remained in close contact with Bob and Carole with frequent reunions in Canada or in the States.  The siblings would share cards with lengthy letters at Christmastime.

Lynda moved family to her final home in Rehoboth, Massachusetts in 1980.  Mom developed passion for gardening.  Each year, the gardens would grow larger and larger, taking up nearly every plot of grass.  She must have been on a first name basis with all the local nurseries.

Lynda married James (Jim) Plante in 1986.  Lynda and Jim loved to spend weekends in Newport, Rhode Island.  Lynda would also pursue hidden treasures at yard sales and antique shops which still adorn the house.

More than anything else, Lynda loved spending time with her grandchildren Eryn, Kyra, Alana, and Nathaniel. With the kids, Lynda would draw, play hide-and-seek, and was a fixture at many basketball courts and hockey rinks.

Lynda’s journey turned in 2020, as normal life patterns shifted in the wake of the pandemic.  This was especially difficult for someone as active as Lynda.  After clearing this hurdle, a more significant one soon approached that was too difficult to pass.  Lynda entered an unfamiliar phase of life that effected the many qualities we loved about her.  Though Lynda lost the ability and motivation to do the things that she loved to do, she never lost the connections with the people she loved.

Lynda peacefully left her family and friends on May 8, 2024 at her home.  We will remember Lynda as forever bright, creative, and strong-willed.

There will be a celebration of life planed for June 8, 2024 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at the Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge at 301 Brown Avenue in Seekonk, Massachusetts.  All friends and family are invited.