Arts & Entertainment
Park Bench Dedicated in Memory of Arts Advocate
A gift of public art is dedicated in the name of Linda Rabe, a major supporter of the arts in Milpitas.
“Her paint brush moved color across a canvas as well as coloring our lives with love. She will always be remembered for blowing bubbles, finding images in clouds, and storing fairy wishes in a jar. Linda's passion for life started with her family and extended to her community,” wrote Linda Rabe's daughters Mary Toberg and Jennifer O'Day.
Family, friends, and guests gathered on April 21 at to dedicate a memorial park bench in her name on what would have been the former arts commissioner's 73rd birthday.
Eight of Rabe's eleven children, their families, along with her husband, former Planning Commissioner Jim Rabe, were among those in attendance at the ceremony. She died last year on May 4.
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The bench, paid for by family, friends and community gifts, is marked with a plaque designed by artist Neils Anderson, who donated it, according to daughters Mary Toberg and Melinda Kong.
It was presented to the Arts Commission and later approved by the City Council.
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“This bench was placed where Linda always sat watching her kids,” said Milpitas Parks and Recreation Director Bonnie Greiner.
The ceremony was followed by light refreshments and bubbles that were handed out.
Daughter Lisa Dixon said, “ My mother was extraordinary. She always had an answer for everything as in a game. She was creative—painted with watercolors, did wedding cakes, flower arrangements and other arts and crafts.”
The new bench is located near the Murphy Park Yellowstone Avenue parking area.
Melinda and Mary said, “Mom was prominent in the approval of the Art in the Park piece nearby in sight of the bench. It meant the world to her.”
Arts Commissioner Harriett McGuire said, “Linda was a dear, sweet friend. Very
loving, caring. She served on the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Commission. Then she moved to the new Arts Commission on July of 2000. She was a driving force there—very creative. Had a good word for everybody, And was instrumental in the “Tea in the Trees” Christmas Tree fundraiser held in the the town's civic center.”
