During her 10 years at the college, Linda Moore, the former vice president of academic affairs, became an integral part of the Emerson community, from drafting the faculty handbook to faithfully remembering her colleagues’ birthdays.

Moore died on March 1 at age 71 due to complications of pancreatic cancer, according to two of her former Emerson colleagues. A memorial service was held for her on March 4 in the Jackie Liebergott Black Box Theatre.

“It’s definitely a loss for Emerson,” said Richard West, professor of communication studies at Emerson. “She had a quiet integrity about her. She had an energy that was rooted in looking out for Emerson.”

Moore worked at Emerson from 2003 until she retired in 2013.

President M. Lee Pelton said Moore was planning to retire in 2012, after Pelton’s first year at the college. He said he asked her to stay for another year to continue to support the school.

“She was very helpful to me in terms of my transition to Emerson,” said Pelton. “I’m very grateful for that.”

Moore was instrumental in the creation of Emerson’s faculty handbook, according to Anne Doyle, the executive director of academic administration. At the memorial, Jacqueline Liebergott, former president of Emerson College, spoke about the effort Moore put into the handbook.

“The drafts were plentiful, and the hours of discussions were important,” Liebergott said at the event.

Doyle said she had worked with Moore for 10 years. She said Moore was fair and a great listener, and they became close friends.

“She was somebody who gathered all the information from all the parties before she would make a decision,” said Doyle. “She was very moderate in her opinions, very thoughtful, and I think the college really needed that in the point in our history.” 

Moore considered her Emerson colleagues an extended family, according to her son Christopher Moore.

“People say you have to keep a balance of work and life, but she was more focused on the work and life integration,” he said.

Matthew Finn, the assistant director of faculty administration and information, said at the memorial that Moore went to great lengths to make sure the people in her office felt recognized.

“No one went without a cake on their birthday,” Finn said at the event.

Doyle and West agreed that Moore was good at keeping people grounded. 

“She was my reality check,” said Doyle. “I can get really excited about things, and she always could calm me down.”

Pelton said he will remember Moore for her authenticity and her positive, forward-thinking attitude, a sentiment echoed by his predecessor.

“She loved the students and the faculty,” said Liebergott. “She helped to build the reputation of the school. She was spectacular.“