Rafael Osona Auctions Annual Catalog 2020 | Page 4

Photo credit: Terry Pommett Photography
Linda Loring was a woman of passion, vision and taste.
Although she was petit in stature, she was a force to be
reckoned with. She had a magnetic personality and a
wicked sense of humor. She was a raconteur, who filled
a room with laughter recounting her many hijinks and
escapades; a woman who savored life.
Linda was chic. She was a woman of style who had an
eye for antiques, paintings, carpets, objet d’arts, fashion
and jewelry. She filled her homes in Nantucket on Rays
Court and Long Pond, and in Boston on Louisburg
Square with many of the treasures she acquired.
She was a regular at Osona Auctions on Saturday
mornings, always sitting in the front row. She also
frequented the antique shops in Nantucket, and on
Charles Street in Boston. She annually attended the
important antique shows in Boston, Nantucket and New
York, and was known by practically every dealer who
exhibited at the Ellis Boston Antique Show, Winter
Antique Show at the Armory in New York City, and the
Nantucket Antique Show.
But she also found items at the “Madaket Mall” (the renowned Nantucket Dump’s Take it Or Leave It). From
paintings by important Nantucket artists, to antique furniture, silver, and copper cookery, Linda spotted and
acquired several diamonds in the rough throughout the years.
Though she resided in Boston and Nantucket for most of her life, it was Nantucket that had a special place in
her heart. She began coming to Nantucket as an infant, summering at the family home on Ray’s Court that her
grandfather purchased because he believed the sea air would be good for her and her brother.
Linda was an animal lover, having many dogs and cats throughout her life. She had such a special connection
to animals that she could remember the name of every dog (not only hers) captured in photographs with friends
and acquaintances dating back to World War II.
Along with animals, Linda loved the flora and fauna of the island, and became a devoted wildlife advocate
and conservationist. She particularly cherished the land around Long Pond. Beginning in 1957, she started to
acquire parcels of land between the Eel Point Road and Madaket Road, eventually after 50 years, amassing an
impressive 275-acred contiguous tract.
It was her vision to preserve this special property from development. The land consisted of rare sandplain
grasslands, coastal heathlands, vernal pools, and rolling hills, not to mention multiple species of wildlife.
She founded the Linda Loring Nature Foundation, with the goal to connect people, especially children, to
nature. She envisioned the Foundation as an outdoor classroom where people of all ages could come and learn
about the flora and fauna of Nantucket, or simply immerse themselves in the natural world. Working with the
Nantucket Land Council, a conservation restriction was placed on the property after the Council raised $14
million dollars. Linda allocated these funds to her foundation.
Today, the Linda Loring Nature Foundation carries on her legacy and features a robust research and education
program, preserving the landscape as a “Living Laboratory” for all ages to enjoy.