Linnea Sturdy (August 12, 1991 – April 3, 2021) passed away unexpectedly in Sweden during the Easter weekend, April 2021, far from her home in Marshfield, Massachusetts.

Brilliance underscored many of Linnea's endeavors in life. She was a creative artist, a talented musician, an inspired performer, and sometimes the magical mermaid. Beauty shone from her clear blue eyes, her sunny blonde (or pink, or blue) hair, and her captivating smile while her wit and clever humor charmed.

Linnea was innately compassionate, sensitive, and kind towards others, generating a light she brought wherever she was. She adored animals and was a conscientious caretaker for those in need. Generous of heart and soul, she loved and shared openly with friends and family.

At age 9, Linnea wrote in her Eames Way School Book of Memories that she wanted to go to Sweden. When she was 10 she kept marine biology newspaper clippings and decided to be a marine biologist.

Her determination was well rewarded.

Living one of her dreams, Linnea worked at the Swedish marine Lab-Field Station, where she was two months away from finishing her Master's of Science degree in Aquaculture.

She was the first AquaVitae trans-Atlantic exchange student at the Graduate Program in Ocean Food Systems at the University of New England, Maine, USA.  This groundbreaking honor was in recognition of Linnea's tremendous academic potential and engagement to support the development of sustainable food systems using low trophic species. In early February 2021, undeterred by the global pandemic, Linnea crossed the Atlantic to join IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute in Sweden.  There she performed lab trials exploring the tunicate Ciona intestinalis, an emerging food and feed species. Overcoming initial setbacks in the project, she worked with diligence and enthusiasm and soon surpassed all obstacles.

Linnea's University Advisors, Åsa Strand (IVL) and Barry Antonio Costa-Pierce (UNE) write "As stated by the marine explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau "The Sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever". This is especially true for Linnea who was bound to the sea as a member of a sea-faring family. Linnea was not only very committed and engaged in the marine environment, but was also a very bright, promising student. Through her motivation and intellectual capacity, she had the potential to support a sustainable future for the oceans that she loved. She wanted to save the world, everyone in it. Her time with us was far too short and her absence has left a void that will be difficult to fill. The world will never be the same without you Linnea, but we will do our best to continue what you set out to achieve."

One of her University of New England advisor's, a world-renowned Aquaculture biologist who also attended the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, said that Linnea could have far surpassed his own career.

Linnea left this world far too soon. She will be forever deeply missed and always remembered by those who love and had the gift of knowing her. We are thankful for and will continue to share the light she sparked in all of us.

She lived a short, but beautiful life!

Linnea is survived by her mom, Melissa Gerry-Sturdy, and her partner, (a bonus Dad,) Tom Moynihan of Marshfield. She is also survived by her father, Robert H Sturdy Jr., and his wife Mary of Tiverton RI, Linnea's brother, Rhys Sturdy of Marshfield, her fraternal grandfather, Robert H Sturdy, of Long Island, New York, and her maternal grandmother, Barbara Gerry, of Marshfield. Linnea leaves many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, as well as her recently acquainted Swedish relatives, and her many dear friends, both old and new. Linnea also leaves her loving boyfriend, Ciaran Mckenna, who sang to her every night, while she was in Sweden,  the Adam Sandlers song " I want to grow old with you"

Her service and celebration of life will be Saturday, June 26, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. in the North Community Church, 72 Old Main Street in Marshfield Hills.

In place of flowers, donations can be for girls to go to the Penikese Island Science Camp, and sent to Linnea Sturdy Science Scholarship, P.O. Box 364, Marshfield Hills, Ma. 02051

Live Stream Link for Memorial Service - (This Link will NOT work until 15 Minutes before the Memorial Service)

https://my.gather.app/remember/linnea-sturdy