Linda Collins Furbush

Linda J. (Collins) Furbush, 80, of Marlborough passed away on Saturday, October 11, 2025.

Linda was the daughter of the late John J. and Rita (Forget) Collins and was born in Waltham, MA.  She had seven siblings, Marcia Goodwin, John Collins, Daniel Collins, Richard Collins, Rita “Ritsy” Collins, Alice “Lissy” McNamara, and Mary Anne “Fluff” McLaughlin.

Linda pursued a lifetime love of learning and was an educator first. She earned her BS in Math from Regis College and began her career as a teacher at Waltham High. Eventually, she left her profession to be a fulltime mother for her three sons but also found the time to earn her MBA from Bentley College. In the mid-Eighties she reentered the workforce and had a successful career in corporate finance at Stratus Computer and Hewlett Packard. But she ultimately returned to teaching and finished her career at Waltham High School as a beloved educator, inspiring young minds to get excited about Math.

Growing up in Waltham, Linda attended St. Mary’s High School, where she met her soulmate, Joe Furbush. They married in 1967 and later moved to Marlborough, MA., to raise their family. Linda and Joe were devout Catholics and active parishioners at the Immaculate Conception Church in Marlborough. They co-taught CCD to local teenagers and were regulars at the IC folk Mass.

After Joe’s passing in 1984, Linda remained active in the community. She was a member of the Marlborough Junior Women’s Club for more than a decade, offered time and support to other widows and widowers in the area, and participated in the Marlborough PTA.

Linda loved travelling, Hampton Beach, dancing, dark chocolate, and Irish coffee. She never forgot a birthday and was always good for a card or a phone call. She was perpetually in search of a “good” Hallmark Channel love story. Her later years were spent at luncheons with her friends the “Divas,” Thursday bridge games, and family gatherings.

Above all, “Grammy” enjoyed spending time with her beloved grandchildren, Elise, Stephanie, Joe, and Matthew. She delighted in hosting them for sleepovers and craft projects and looked forward to spoiling them on every holiday and special occasion. She cherished every moment she spent with her grandchildren, and nothing meant more to her than their happiness.

Linda is survived by her three sons and two daughters-in-laws, Jake Furbush and his wife Vanessa, Mike Furbush, and Tim Furbush and his wife Michelle.  She is also survived by her four grandchildren, Elise, Stephanie, Joseph “Joe”, and Matthew; her sisters, Marcia, Ritsy, Lissy, and Mary Anne; and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

She was predeceased by her parents, John and Rita, her husband Joe, and her brothers John, Daniel and Richard.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 16, from 5-7 PM in the Short and Rowe Funeral Home, 95 West Main Street, Marlborough, MA.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, October 17, at 11 AM, in Immaculate Conception Church, 11 Prospect Street, Marlborough, MA.  Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Wilson Street, Marlborough.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Linda’s name to the Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Worcester County Alzheimer's Association http://www.alz.org/.

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