Milford Scouts Honor Westborough Couple For Volunteer, Community Work

MILFORD, MA — A Westborough couple will be awarded the Milford-based Mayflower Council BSA award in November. Beverly and Bill Linnane will receive the honor for their years of community work at the council's annual dinner and fundraiser in November.

Here's more from a Mayflower Council BSA news release:

Beverly and Bill Linnane will receive the Westborough Good Scout Award on Tuesday, November 7, 2023.

The gathering will begin with a social hour at 6:00 pm at the DoubleTree Hotel in Westborough with an Opening Ceremony by the Scouts at 6:55 pm. Dinner and the Good Scout Award Presentation will follow.

The Good Scout Award Dinner raises money to support Scouting while recognizing people who personify the Scout Oath and have excelled in their career and personal lives. The Mayflower Council, BSA presents this award to individuals who have exemplified themselves in outstanding community leadership, have demonstrated a concern for the welfare of others and have been role models to all young people.

The Linnanes have strong community ties. They were married in 1965 and built a home in Westborough in 1969.

Mrs. Linnane grew up in Calais, ME and her husband is a fourth generation Westborough resident which we believe allows him to consider himself a true Westborough townie, a fun term coined to refer to those with deep local roots.

Mrs. Linnane received her RN from the Peter Bent Brigham School of Nursing, now Brigham and Women’s. Her nursing career took her to both Worcester and Boston where she specialized in surgical care. Her husband is a retired construction management professional, graduating from Westborough High School in 1958 as well as Wentworth Institute and Northeastern University. His expertise in surveying, home building, road construction and power and chemical plants took him across the country and to Taiwan and South Africa and also included work locally - including Mill Pond Dam.

During their marriage they managed to continuously find time to volunteer and give back to the community which means so much to them. Mrs. Linnane served as a leader of her daughter, Jen’s, Girl Scout Troop and served as a Den Leader for her son, Sean’s, Cub Scout Troop. She recalls with fondness the vivid memory of little boys painting bird houses in her kitchen shortly before Christmas one year – crafting perfect holiday gifts for their families.

She served as a member of the Music Parents Association and the Bay State Park Committee. Bev, as she is known, is a past president of the Westborough Garden Club and was chair of their community beautification group for 13 years. She has sought out partners, including Joe Ventriglia, of Stonefire, to coordinate the beautiful wall at the Gateway Garden located near the railroad bridge. She also spearheaded a memorial garden at the walkway of the high school. The garden serves as a memorial to a fellow member of the Garden Club. She also collaborated with the town to place and plant the first flower boxes on the downtown sidewalk areas.

She has graciously given her time to the residents of Whitney Place helping them plant and care for indoor gardens as well as beautifying their outdoor courtyard. According to Mrs. Linnane “to plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.”

Her creative side extends beyond her green thumb. During her retirement she established her own business, Rabbit Hollow, crafting handknit items for children. She belongs to the Greater Boston Knitting Guild, the Schoolhouse Quilters of Shrewsbury and the Wachusett Rug Hooking Chapter.

Mr. Linnane’s community service began when he was a young man, in 1960 just two years after graduating from high school, and continues to the present. Bill has served on the Advisory Finance Committee, the Charter Review Committee and has served as a trustee of the Westborough Public Library.

He was a founding member of the Westborough High School Music Parents. A passionate advocate for young people, he has given generously of his time and talent to the Charlotte Spinney Mentoring Program. Although the program is designed to support students from junior high through high school graduation, he has continued to be involved in the lives of his mentees well beyond the day they donned their WHS cap and gown.

He has been involved in Westborough Legends and is a member of the Civic Club. He has been a Westborough Rotarian and the Linnanes even hosted a Club installation at their home where his granddaughter, Madigan, a talented musician, performed for the Rotarians. Mr. Linnane has also served on the Westborough Good Scout Committee. He concludes “we’ve both been active in community activities and are overwhelmed to be the Good Scout Award recipients in 2023.” For dinner tickets, sponsorship information or further information visit the Mayflower BSA website.

WHAT: 2023 Westborough Good Scout Award Dinner
HONOREES: Beverly and Bill Linnane
WHEN: Nov. 7 at 6 p.m.
WHERE: DoubleTree Hotel, Westborough